FT Rethink

Curbing the great sand grab

Up to 50 billion tonnes of sand a year is being mined, dredged and even stolen to satisfy the global appetite for infrastructure, according to the UN, and it’s disappearing faster than it can be replenished. The plunder cuts biodiversity, destroys fishing communities, and increases the risk of flooding. Curbing the problem could include improved governance or finding alternative materials, but there are no simple answers.


As the world changes at lightning speed, the FT Rethink series explores how to navigate transformative shifts shaping the future, from geopolitics and climate to industry, energy and health. The channel alternates between independent reporting from FT journalists and business perspectives from Lombard Odier.

Rethink sustainability

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FT Channels, a partnership destination that combines impactful and enriching multimedia content to spark curiosity and encourage discovery. Each vertical brings expert insights from the Financial Times and our Partners into the most pressing issues of our time.

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FT Rethink

FT Channels, a partnership destination that combines impactful and enriching multimedia content to spark curiosity and encourage discovery. Each vertical brings expert insights from the Financial Times and our Partners into the most pressing issues of our time.


As the world changes at lightning speed, the FT Rethink series explores how to navigate transformative shifts shaping the future, from geopolitics and climate to industry, energy and health. The channel alternates between independent reporting from FT journalists and business perspectives from Lombard Odier.