Greenland’s potential role in the growing global demand for sand

Tuesday, 15 December 2020: 05:55
Mette Bendixen, University of Copenhagen, Department for Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, København K, Denmark, Irina Overeem, University of Colorado, Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, Boulder, CO, United States, Iversen Lars Lonsmann, Arizona State University, School of Life Sciences, Tempe, AZ, United States, Jim Best, Univ. Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Geology, Geography & GIS, Mechanical Science and Engineering and Ven Te Chow Hydrosystems Laboratory, Champaign, IL, United States and Christopher R Hackney, Newcastle University, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
Recorded Presentation
Abstract:
Sand is the most extracted material worldwide and a key ingredient in our modern life. Yet it might be our most overlooked natural resource. Rapid urbanization and global population growth have fueled the demand for sand and gravel, and as a consequence, the future global sand demand is expected to increase with 300% and associated prices with 400% within the next 80 years1.

In Greenland, one of the major consequences of climate change is the Greenland ice sheet losing its mass, where ice flow dynamics control the production of sediment. Since the 1980’s, Greenland’s deltas have grown as a consequence of increased melt2. The continuous supply of sand and gravel in Greenland is so massive that the sediment could serve as a potential source of material for the global sand market1. Setting up a sand industry could potentially act as a new way to diversify and strengthen Greenland’s economy.

However, there are still unknowns associated with the growing global sand scarcity;

Locally in Greenland, it is essential to understand and include the local perspectives and opinions about exploiting sand as a possible developing natural resource in Greenland. Furthermore, it is crucial to also examine the sediment quality and characteristics, the environmental impact of sand dredging, the transportation costs and projections on future sand and gravel prices.

Globally, it is critical to understand how the growing global pressure on the world’s sand resources comes with significant consequences for the natural environment. Simultaneously, it must be acknowledged how sand plays an economically important role as a ‘development mineral’, employing millions of people, improving livelihoods and reducing poverty.

The overall challenge remains to recognize and shine lights on the conflicting interests there exist between safeguarding the environment and the values sand possess in promoting economic development, improving health, limiting poverty, and levelling inequality.

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