A 21st century construction boom is driving unregulated sand mining around the world - eroding rivers and coastlines, disrupting ecosystems and hurting livelihoods.

A sign is posted at a Trader Joe's supermarket explaining its empty shelves on inclement weather, in Metairie, Louisiana, U.S. February 18, 2021. REUTERS/Scott Balling

An Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) officer explains the location of affected villages on a map at a temporary base camp set up by ITBP for distribution of relief material in the affected areas, after a flash flood swept a mountain valley destroying dams and bridges, at Lata village in Chamoli district, in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, February 12, 2021. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Maria Elena Sandoval, 78, explains how she saved her foot from thrombosis thanks to private surgery paid for by the money from her son who works in the U.S., at her house in Jantetelco, state of Morelos, Mexico November 12, 2020. Picture taken November 12, 2020. REUTERS/Carlos Jasso

Maps and photos explaining what happened during the Republic Day tractor rally

Kyuta Kumagai, 10, practices sumo with his father Taisuke, 50, during a one-on-one training session which his father organized at the Buddhist temple Joshin-ji in Tokyo, Japan, September 2, 2020. "I think he is managing to make time for himself and I think he has time to play with his friends," explained Taisuke. "I don't think it is too much pressure." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "KYUNG-HOON SUMO" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

A note explaining the temporary closure by authorities due to COVID-19 measures is placed on the door of the Muensterhoefli restaurant, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues, in Zurich, Switzerland January 11, 2021. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

A note explaining the temporary closure by authorities due to COVID-19 measures is placed on the door of the Confiserie Spruengli restaurant, as the spread of the coronavirus disease continues, in Zurich, Switzerland January 11, 2021. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

College students Jester Rafon, 20, Rosemine Gonzaga, 19, Jenebyl Cipres, 19, and Almer Acuno, 21, hike up a mountain to find a spot where there is internet connection in order to take part in online classes, following the suspension of physical classes during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Sitio Papatahan, Paete, Laguna, Philippines, October 22, 2020. "I was really excited for college because all my life I've been here in the mountains," Gonzaga said, explaining how the pandemic had thwarted her plans for an independent life in the town. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez SEARCH "LOPEZ SCHOOL ONLINE" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES

Respiratory therapist Annette James wears personal protective equipment as she explains how to use a mucus extractor to her patient Geraldine Sprys, who is suffering from pneumonia, at Medical Arts Hospital in Lamesa, Texas, U.S., December 17, 2020. Picture taken December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Go Nakamura

Dr. Eileen Sprys draws for her patient to explain about medications at Medical Arts Hospital in Lamesa, Texas, U.S., December 17, 2020. Picture taken December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Go Nakamura

Dr. Eileen Sprys explains about medicines to patient Stan Waldrop at Medical Arts Hospital in Lamesa, Texas, U.S., December 17, 2020. Picture taken December 17, 2020. REUTERS/Go Nakamura

Tate Trujillo, director of pharmacy, explains the cold storage units that will store the Pfizer coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., December 11, 2020. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston

Tate Trujillo, director of pharmacy, explains the cold storage units that will store the Pfizer coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., December 11, 2020. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston

Tate Trujillo, director of pharmacy, explains the cold storage units and shipping containers used for the Pfizer coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., December 11, 2020. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston

Tate Trujillo, director of pharmacy, explains shipping containers for the Pfizer coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine at Indiana University Health in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S., December 11, 2020. REUTERS/Bryan Woolston

UPDATE Updates with Feb. 2, 2021 explosion. Graphic explaining SpaceX's failed Starship test launch and explosion.

Diagram explaining Japan's Hayabusa2 mission.

A store worker explains coronavirus protocols to a shopper at the Citadel Outlet mall, as the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Commerce, California, U.S., December 3, 2020. REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson

Lesya Lytvynova, co-founder of the Kyiv-based charity fund "Ours", explains how to use an oxygen generator while speaking with a son of an elderly man, whose arterial blood oxygen saturation level dropped below 88 percent, in her office in Kyiv, Ukraine November 20, 2020. The charity fund gives free generators to patients suffering respiratory distress, plugging a shortage in Ukraine's healthcare system as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases spike to record levels. Picture taken November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Lesya Lytvynova, co-founder of the Kyiv-based charity fund "Ours", explains how to use an oxygen generator while speaking with Olga Sabatiye, whose mother Halyna Panasiuk tested positive for coronavirus, in her office in Kyiv, Ukraine November 20, 2020. The charity fund gives free generators to patients suffering respiratory distress, plugging a shortage in Ukraine's healthcare system as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases spike to record levels. Picture taken November 20, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Artist Ahlam Nasser explains pieces she painted at her home yard in Sanaa, Yemen November 23, 2020. Picture taken November 23, 2020. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

French anaesthesiologist Caroline Tesse, 34, talks with her daughter Margaux during a session to explain her job to the schoolchildren at the primary school in Villeneuve d'Ascq after returning home from a four-day shift at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) where patients suffering from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are treated at Cambrai hospital, France, November 17, 2020. Picture taken, November 17, 2020. REUTERS/Pascal Rossignol

A woman smiles as member of the community swabbing team explains the procedure before carrying out a doorstep COVID-19 test following the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Chadderton, Britain, September 30, 2020. Picture taken September 30, 2020. To match Special Report HEALTH-CORONAVIRUS/BRITAIN-NEWWAVE REUTERS/Phil Noble

A statement, which explains the closure, is placed at the entrance of the Swissotel hotel, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, in Zurich, Switzerland November 17, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

A statement from gastronomy group Holenstein Gastro which explains the temporary closure of Bierhalle Wolf beer hall to bridge the low demand during the COVID-19 period, as the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues, is seen in Zurich, Switzerland November 4, 2020. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann

Riot police stand guard as protesters take part in a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

A protester throws a smoke bomb during a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Protesters take part in a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

A smoke is seen near the Constitutional Court building, as protesters take part in a rally, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

A protester holds a smoke bomb as he takes part in a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Protesters take part in a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Protesters take part in a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Protesters throw smoke bombs during a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Members of the National Guard of Ukraine stand guard as protesters take part in a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

A man throws a tire towards a security guard as protesters take part in a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

A protester holds a smoke bomb as he takes part in a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Protesters stand among smoke as they take part in a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

Protesters take part in a rally outside the Constitutional Court building, demanding the judges come out and explain to them the reasons for their ruling on the anti-graft laws in Kyiv, Ukraine October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Gleb Garanich

A health worker explains safety tips on the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) to migrant domestic workers from Africa before they travel back to their countries, at a hotel in Beirut suburbs, Lebanon October 5, 2020. Picture taken October 5, 2020. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir

A teacher explains a lesson during a video call with a student through a hotline program, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines, October 7, 2020. Picture taken October 7, 2020. REUTERS/Eloisa Lopez

Radiographer Maria Elena Grech explains how radiotherapy works to Rebecca Zammit Lupi, a 14-year-old cancer patient, while showing her images, at Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre in Mater Dei Hospital, during the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tal-Qroqq, Malta, May 15, 2020. Rebecca is now considering radiotherapy as a possible career choice. Grech said "It was fantastic to see that Becs was so keen on learning the processes that led to her daily radiotherapy treatment. She would ask us many questions about our role as radiographers and what she would need to study to enter the course at university. The fact that we were able to inspire Becs even during such difficult times, made us really proud of our profession." REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi SEARCH "REBECCA LUPI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES THE IMAGES SHOULD ONLY BE USED TOGETHER WITH THE STORY - NO STAND-ALONE USES

Nurse Naomi Balzan explains the protocol for the next chemotherapy cycle to Rebecca Zammit Lupi, a 14-year-old cancer patient, in her room at Rainbow Ward in Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre at Mater Dei Hospital, during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in Tal-Qroqq, Malta, May 2, 2020. Rebecca underwent 14 chemotherapy cycles to treat the cancer cells in her shoulder, neck, hip and liver. Balzan says "Rainbow Ward is more like a second family to me, rather than a workplace. It can be challenging at times because you witness suffering of both patients and their parents every day, but it is highly satisfying as well. The children and adolescents' smiles inspire you and make you forget all the suffering they are passing through. When parents are given the devastating news that their child has cancer, from that day their lives may change forever. Then treatment such as chemo protocol is discussed with the consultant and doctors. However due to shock and overload of information, the nurse clarifies the treatment with the patients before administering in order to feel more secure! Explaining to children and adolescents may be challenging at times because one must adapt according to different age groups and personalities. Teenagers like Rebecca can understand a complex explanation of both the diagnosis and treatment. Eventually the patients will learn treatment names by heart before their parents do!" REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi SEARCH "REBECCA LUPI" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES THE IMAGES SHOULD ONLY BE USED TOGETHER WITH THE STORY - NO STAND-ALONE USES

Graphic explains the nature of pyrocumulonimbus clouds. A specific cloud generated by forest fires that is capable of generating its own weather system causing other wildfires and even fire tornadoes

A teacher explains to pupils how to use masks against the spread of the new coronavirus, at a primary school during the first day after summer holidays amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Athens, Greece, September 14, 2020. Thanassis Stavrakis/Pool via REUTERS

A teacher explains to pupils how to use masks against the spread of the new coronavirus, at a primary school during the first day after summer holidays amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Athens, Greece, September 14, 2020. Thanassis Stavrakis/Pool via REUTERS

Buddhist nuns explain a woman about the process of recycling plastics in Yangon, Myanmar, September 4, 2020. Picture taken September 4, 2020. REUTERS/Shwe Paw Mya Tin

Ricoh Industry executive Kazuhiro Kanno explains the company?fs system to remotely monitor production equipment at its printer components factory in Atsugi, Kanagawa prefecture, Japan July 13, 2020. Picture taken July 13, 2020. REUTERS/Naomi Tajitsu

Founder of the Ministry of Fun Santa School, James Lovell, explains how to decorate a face visor during the class, in London, Britain August 24, 2020. REUTERS/John Sibley

An instructor of the training center explains the structure of an EUV machine to the media at ASML Holding, in Tainan, Taiwan August 20, 2020. REUTERS/Ann Wang

A clay figure of the microscopic view of the coronavirus made by Edgar Alvarez, Colombian artist and creator of "I explain it with plasticine," is seen on a sidewalk, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota, Colombia August 7, 2020. Picture taken August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Edgar Alvarez, Colombian artist and creator of "I explain it with plasticine," takes pictures of his clay figure of the microscopic view of the coronavirus, which he put on a sidewalk to photograph, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota, Colombia August 7, 2020. Picture taken August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Edgar Alvarez, Colombian artist and creator of "I explain it with plasticine," models a clay figure of a Venezuelan migrant, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota, Colombia August 7, 2020. Picture taken August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Edgar Alvarez, Colombian artist and creator of "I explain it with plasticine," takes pictures of his clay figure of a Venezuelan migrant, which he put on a sidewalk to photograph, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota, Colombia August 7, 2020. Picture taken August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Edgar Alvarez, Colombian artist and creator of "I explain it with plasticine," wears a face mask as he models a clay figure of a Venezuelan migrant, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota, Colombia August 7, 2020. Picture taken August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Edgar Alvarez, Colombian artist and creator of "I explain it with plasticine," wears a face mask as he takes pictures of his clay figure of a Venezuelan migrant, which he put on a sidewalk to photograph, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota, Colombia August 7, 2020. Picture taken August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Edgar Alvarez, Colombian artist and creator of "I explain it with plasticine," wears a face mask as he models a clay figure of a Venezuelan migrant, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota, Colombia August 7, 2020. Picture taken August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Edgar Alvarez, Colombian artist and creator of "I explain it with plasticine," wears a face mask as he takes pictures of his clay figure of a Venezuelan migrant, which he put on a sidewalk to photograph, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota, Colombia August 7, 2020. Picture taken August 7, 2020. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez

Jorge Enrique Salgado explains how he built a replica of the Eiffel Tower on the roof of his home in Havana, Cuba, August 6, 2020. Picture taken August 6, 2020. REUTERS/Alexandre Meneghini

WASHINGTON, D.C.- AUGUST 6, 2020: Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) questions Chad Wolf, acting Secretary of Homeland Security, who appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on August 6, 2020 in Washington D.C. to explain the use of federal agents during protests in Portland, Oregon. Toni Sandys/Pool via REUTERS