![Most of the world's river sand extraction is taking place in developing countries. Pictured, Sunkoshi River near Kathmandu, Nepal.](https://imagenes.elpais.com/resizer/v2/OAMHQP55TBFRTPE67SHMJ7JFPY.jpg?auth=3540b8632384cf798f9e661d0fae246e8431aa57db7ec6c07e92264d9f8c62f6&width=414&height=233&smart=true)
Climate crisis: the shifting sands supporting human civilization
The rate at which we are extracting gravel for construction is 23 times greater than it was in 1900, and a lot of it is being done illegally. Experts warn about irreversible environmental and social impacts