The global sand crisis: it’s being used up faster than it can be replaced

It is the most extracted solid material on Earth – but this extraction can threaten ecosystems and livelihoods Malé is one of the world’s most overcrowded cities, but it faces double pressure. As well as a growing population, the capital of the Maldives is also threatened by rising sea levels. Owing to climate breakdown, its living space is shrinking. So the justification for a land reclamation project seemed clear. Take sand from elsewhere in the archipelago and use it to build up the land a...

By Damien Gayle Environment correspondent