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It's a small world after all, say scientists warning of sand scarcity
The Christian Science Monitor ^
| September 14, 2017
| Eoin O'Carroll
Posted on 09/14/2017 2:53:17 PM PDT by Jagermonster
SURFACING MODELS OF THOUGHT
Out of the complexity of the global sand trade has emerged something of a butterfly effect, in which an economic decision in one place can wreak social and environmental havoc on the other side of the world.
If youre looking for a way to express something thats staggeringly hard to count, you wont find a more reliable metaphor than grains of sand.
There is indeed quite a bit of it about 7.5 quintillion grains on Earths beaches and deserts, according to one estimate. But if you think that this would be sufficient to supply an ever-expanding global economy with all the concrete, asphalt, glass, and semiconductors it could possibly desire, think again.
Our consumption of sand is outpacing our understanding of the economics and environmental impacts of extracting, transporting, and consuming it, finds research published last Thursday in the journal Science. Out of the complexity of the global sand trade has emerged something of a butterfly effect, in which an economic decision in one place can wreak social and environmental havoc on the other side of the world. Using a holistic, interdisciplinary approach called telecoupling, the researchers analysis of the global sand trade opens a window into the global interconnection of human and natural systems.
The demand is skyrocketing, and the supply is increasingly limited. And also the consequences, both the environmental and the socioeconomic impact, are enormous, says Jianguo Jack Liu, director of Michigan State Universitys Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability and a co-author of the paper.
Sand mafias and vanishing islands
Modern society is literally built on sand. Most of our buildings and bridges are made with concrete...
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: concrete; construction; rawmaterial; resources; sand
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To: taterjay
21
posted on
09/14/2017 3:07:16 PM PDT
by
MGunny
To: MarMema
Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes, so high they keep EMS easily on hand because people can't get back up them.
22
posted on
09/14/2017 3:07:39 PM PDT
by
MarMema
To: Red Badger
There's even sand mafias!
But seriously folks - I'm not so concerned about a shortage of sand. What does concern me is that there are a-holes who illegally run off with public property, to the detriment of others. See
the Tragedy of the Commons for additional information.
I never thought I'd have to think about the ethics of sand, but per the article, "The profits of this easy-to-get, hard-to-regulate material . . . have lured organized crime. In India and Bangladesh, 'sand mafias' have been implicated in the murder of hundreds of people in recent years."
To: MarMema
I used to spend my summers up there. Leelanau county is a beautiful place.
To: Jagermonster
Im calling BS on this one.
The Arkansas river alone is nearly limitless in supply.
25
posted on
09/14/2017 3:09:39 PM PDT
by
Sequoyah101
(It feels like we have exchanged our dreams for survival. We just have a few days that don't suck.)
To: roadcat
Lol. The trick would be to maintain ownership as one despotic ruler replaces the next and so on. :)
26
posted on
09/14/2017 3:10:38 PM PDT
by
dhs12345
To: taterjay
27
posted on
09/14/2017 3:11:15 PM PDT
by
DoughtyOne
(7.5 mos M/R joining dems to block Cons. agenda? No problem. Trump deal w/Dems, big problem! Ah NO!)
To: MarMema
Is that by the Pierce Stocking overlook? The climb back up there takes a LONG time, but the run down is SO worth it.
To: Teacher317
A side benefit of getting sand from the ocean bottom is it will lower the sea level and save humanity!
29
posted on
09/14/2017 3:12:30 PM PDT
by
Auntie Dem
(Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! Terrorist lovers gotta go!)
To: Jagermonster
there are already signs that we are running out of seawater.
30
posted on
09/14/2017 3:16:59 PM PDT
by
arthurus
To: Jagermonster
There is indeed quite a bit of it about 7.5 quintillion grains on Earths beaches and deserts, according to one estimate.I demand a recount!
31
posted on
09/14/2017 3:17:08 PM PDT
by
TigersEye
(0bama. The Legacy is a lie. The lie is the Legacy.)
To: Teacher317
No supply and no demand is legitimate unless the government directs it and plans it. The true shortage is that of Government Experts.
32
posted on
09/14/2017 3:19:02 PM PDT
by
arthurus
To: Jagermonster
In the 90s National Geo was carrying on about desert encroachment... lots of photos of sand dunes swallowing houses, etc..
33
posted on
09/14/2017 3:19:57 PM PDT
by
piasa
To: Jagermonster
This is one of the dumbest stories I’ve ever read.
34
posted on
09/14/2017 3:20:11 PM PDT
by
lacrew
To: Jagermonster
I used to spend my summers up there. Leelanau county is a beautiful place.It is. We try to get over there when we can....one of our favorite places.
35
posted on
09/14/2017 3:23:34 PM PDT
by
MarMema
To: Jagermonster
Heh. I snagged that off the net but I do think that is along the P/S drive.
36
posted on
09/14/2017 3:24:26 PM PDT
by
MarMema
To: Jagermonster
This just in: Hillary Clinton adds “shortage of sand” to reasons why she lost the election.
37
posted on
09/14/2017 3:27:48 PM PDT
by
Leaning Right
(I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
To: lacrew
I think the story missed the point - Its not as if there is truly a shortage of sand. The problem is that there's so much of it just lying around that people are willing to just take it without regard to law, property rights, environmental impact (shudder), etc., because it can be sold.
That depresses the price for sand, which would drive out responsible vendors. Buy from the sand mafia at $5 a ton from their operation in the national park, or $10 a ton from the guy who runs a sand pit on his own property. It makes a difference.
To: MarMema
Glamis, California
39
posted on
09/14/2017 3:31:14 PM PDT
by
Jeff Chandler
(https://imgoat.com/uploads/645920e395/39513.gif)
To: Jagermonster
You could see them from Glen lake where I spent my Summers as a kid. Beautiful country!
40
posted on
09/14/2017 3:33:54 PM PDT
by
Dr. Bogus Pachysandra
(Don't touch that thing Don't let anybody touch that thing!I'm a Doctor and I won't touch that thing!)
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