Sand Mining: Economic gains, Environmental Ethics, and Policy Implications

Abstract

Sand mining which been a major contributor to economic growth and development has turned out to be a source of environmental degradation based on the fact that the renewal rate of sand is lower than its rate of consumption. This study reviewed the universe, earth, and finally focused on sand as one of earth’s most consumed natural resources after water. The study shows how countries of the world engage in sand exportation to grow their economy by creating job opportunities to both skilled and unskilled individuals in the society. Key issues surrounding the ethical conduct of sand mining were discussed in details by angling towards environmentalists’ view that are of the opinion that sand mining activities ought to be drastically reduced and strictly regulated in order to save the depleted state of the ecosystem. The study was anchored on the Green theory which emphasizes that there is a need to regulate the overconsumption of shared natural resources such as land, water, and sea animals by individuals and organizations.