Are we really running out of sand?

Doomsday theories appear to be a popular pastime of humanity, but they come in wildly varying types. One of the types I personally find more concerning are those that have to do with natural limits and use of non-renewable materials and resources. Recently, sand of all things have seen attention in this area, with many news outlets, including the BBC, running articles such as this one: Why the world is running out of sand - BBC.

Given the importance of sand as a raw material, especially in making concrete, that is scary: according to Wikipedia, concrete is the second-most-used substance in the world after water (by weight).

It was therefore a relief to come by Practical Engineering’s Is the World Really Running Out of Sand? (discussed on Hacker News). Extra points for having it both as a video and as text.

The short answer is: no, the world is not really running out of sand. A slightly longer answer: sand is becoming more expensive because we are more aware of the true costs of procuring sand, especially considering environmental impact. But we can always make more sand. Watch the video for the details!