This is a topic with very scant literature. I'm curious if there's an account of global sand reserves. Unlike oil/shale, other mineral resources, it seems like available construction sand is basically all discovered by virtue of being on the surface. I'm wondering if there are predictions for peak sand, what current sand reserves translates to in total tons of future concrete production etc. Otherwise it seems like the kind of resource that need to managed properly, seeing how land reclamation projects will be increasingly necessary with raising water levels. Engineered timber can replace some building needs, but I can't think of an alternative to concrete for other critical infrastructure like roads.
I'd be really interested to know the economics here too. Forestry is something that can be done for a profit, but what if it takes 1000 years to make sand?
