A Beach Project Built on Sand; By Robert S. Young, PhD

Earlier this month, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced a $207 million plan to dredge millions of tons of sand off the south shore of Long Island and spread it along the beaches and dunes. It is a colossal waste of money and another consequence of the nation’s failure to develop a coherent plan to address the risks from storms faced by states along the eastern seaboard and gulf coast.

Dumping Ban Urged for Australia’s Iconic Reef

The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, the government agency responsible for protecting the reef, recently approved the dumping of five million tonnes of dredging spoil in the reef region. Scientists and coral reef experts universally condemned the decision.

“El Expolio De La Arena”

In this original version, investigative journalist Cristina Sáez, writing for leading spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, exposes how extensive, detrimental, silenced yet utterly pervasive “The pillaging of beach sand” has become.

The Deadly Occupation Attracting Kenya’s Youth

Sand is becoming a necessary component in fuelling the construction boom that is driving the rapid pace of urbanisation and rapid economic growth patterns in Kenya. Many of Kenya’s poor youth are turning to sand mining as a quick way of earning money, despite the deadly risks due to poor sand harvesting methods.

Caofeidian, The Chinese Eco-City That Became a Ghost Town – In Pictures

“As precious as gold … That was how then-president Hu Jintao described Caofeidian during his visit in 2006. It was pledged to be ‘the world’s first fully realised eco-city’ – yet 10 years and almost $100bn later, only a few thousand inhabitants have moved to this land reclaimed from the sea …”

The Great Barrier Reef’s Days May Be Numbered

Researchers appeared before an Australian Senate committee to review how federal and local governments have managed the reef, and found that the Reef is in the worse state it’s ever been in since records began. Researchers attributed the significant decline to coastal development as well as dredging and dumping sediment along the Queensland coast.

Lower Fish Haul Due To Sand Mining, Malaysia

Hundreds of fishermen, in Selangor State, are facing huge financial losses after their monthly catch is slashed by half over the last three months allegedly because of sand mining near their fishing spot.

Lawlessness in UP: Sand Mafias Thrive Without Shroud Of Fear

The practice of illegal mining is common in the entire state of Uttar Pradesh, India, along the riverbeds as there is constant demand for sand. The builders in the region are always on the lookout for cheap sand which comes from a mafia that illegally mines the riverbed.