Part 2/8:
Sand might seem innocuous, but the reality is starkly different. Annually, the world mines around 50 billion tons of sand, making it one of the most consumed natural resources after water and oil. Sand is used extensively in various industries; most notably, it is a primary ingredient in concrete, which comprises about 80% of our construction materials. With the earth experiencing rapid urbanization, the demand for sand is expected to rise exponentially, potentially reaching 80 billion tons a year by 2060.