Sand is another crucial resource that is facing worldwide depletion

We’ve all heard of potential oil and waters wars, but could sand be included in that list? Sand — a crucial component of cement and concrete — is vital for the construction industry. But as human populations continue to migrate to cities and consumption reaching 40 bn tonnes annually, we now have to contend with another increasing depleting and essential resource. The Economist breaks down why this depletion is accelerating and how the need for newer materials might offset a global environmental disaster (watch, runtime: 2:28).