The modern building industry has achieved new heights in productivity and efficiency. However, this improvement has also come with a massive demand for raw materials, putting a heavy strain on the planet’s natural resources.
The scale of resource extraction in the building industry
The construction sector requires a lot of materials. It is responsible for 50 per cent of the world’s resource extraction, making it one of the most resource-intensive industries.
Sand and gravel are essential to building, and areas rich in these resources bear the brunt of most construction-related mining efforts. The industry mainly prefers marine sand, leading to unprecedented rates of dredging on beaches worldwide. Miners extract between four and eight billion metric tonnes of sand yearly, significantly depleting these reserves.
Between 1970 and 2019, the extraction of natural resources more than tripled, largely due to sand mining and other essential construction materials or aggregates. Assigning protected areas hasn’t worked — from 2018 to 2022, around one-sixth of sand dredging occurred in these zones.
As the global population and desire for capital continue to grow, this demand for resources could keep burdening the environment, leading to grave consequences. The U.S. alone could spend more than US$300 billion annually on new development.
The environmental and social cost of unsustainable resource extraction
Construction is an essential process, especially in an industrialised world. The demands of modern living require buildings and infrastructure. However, unregulated and unsustainable mining practices are harming entire ecosystems and communities.
Soil erosion
Mining disturbs the land, leaving it vulnerable to erosion from wind and water. It disturbs plant and soil cover on rivers and beaches. In more extreme cases, mining and erosion could even change the flow of seas and rivers, affecting the rest of the ecosystem.
Aquifer salination
Aquifer salination refers to the contamination of freshwater aquifers with saltwater. Mining disturbs the structure of the land and affects water flow, especially on beaches. If done improperly, seawater could seep into the underground aquifers, contaminating fresh water sources essential to the ecosystem. Addressing contaminated groundwater may require extensive evaluations, filtration systems and chemical treatment.
Loss of protection from storm surges
Sand structures on coastlines are crucial for preventing damage from large waves or storm surges. Beaches and dunes provide much-needed protection from these weather events, preventing homes from flooding or being washed away. The wider the beach, the greater the protection. Mining and dredging damage this barrier, making coastal towns much more vulnerable to hurricanes, storm surges and flooding.
Loss of biodiversity
Sand is a significant component of the ecosystem. It’s part of the overall marine habitat, providing a space for fish and other organisms to shelter and breed. Less sand also means a decline in spaces where seagrass and marine plants could take root, affecting their ability to act as water filters and carbon sinks.
Impact on livelihood
Anything that affects the environment will also likely impact humans. Damage to beaches and ecosystems can affect people’s livelihoods. Dwindling fish populations and fewer marine plants can mean less food for consumption or commerce. Eroded shorelines and damaged geography can harm the tourism industry, leaving a place economically and environmentally affected.
Access to food and water
Aside from affecting livelihoods, unsustainable resource extraction directly impacts people’s food and water resources. Aquifer salination could mean less access to clean, potable water, and dredged up seabeds could mean dwindling seafood populations.
Best practices for sustainable materials sourcing
Minimising unsustainable resource extraction rates comes with responsible materials sourcing. Mining can still be part of that equation, but more construction companies should treat it as a last resort instead of their first option, lest the damage reach the point of no return.
Conducting a lifecycle assessment
A lifecycle assessment allows companies to evaluate their environmental impact, from sourcing and planning to the finished construction. This helps teams find parts of their process that are doing more harm than is necessary, develop strategies to incorporate more sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprint.
Understanding the supply chain
The supply chain often determines how sustainable an operation can be. A construction company could evaluate its suppliers, vendors and business partners to understand their stance on sustainability.
What practices have they adopted to minimise their ecological footprint? Do they have any certifications showcasing their commitment to transparency and sustainable processes? Transparent, environmentally conscious suppliers can usually offer documentation and proof concerning the sustainability of their products and materials.
Choosing sustainable and recycled materials
Construction projects don’t have to rely on harmful mining or resource extraction practices. Companies committed to sustainability can opt for recycled or sustainable materials. Essential materials like sand, granite, steel, glass and wood can retain their strength and be recycled. Opting for these materials conserves energy, reduces costs, and makes buildings more durable and environmentally friendly.
Supporting local suppliers
Transportation is another critical factor influencing sustainability. Working with local suppliers can minimise carbon footprints, since manufacturing and delivering the materials would consume less energy. Local suppliers also often have a better idea of the best options for a specific area and offer valuable suggestions and insights.
Collaborating with experts
Implementing sustainable practices throughout a company’s process is a massive undertaking. Construction companies should collaborate with or consult architects, engineers or scientists who specialise in sustainable design and practices. These experts can provide scientifically backed guidance on sourcing appropriate materials while maintaining a high quality of work.
Building a sustainable future
The construction sector must develop awareness of the limitations of the world’s natural resources. Every tonne of sand mined has long-term consequences affecting wildlife and humanity.
Prioritising sustainable practices and finding the right alternatives can minimise the damage inflicted upon the Earth and create a world where buildings can sustain life in all its forms.
