A global shortage of construction-grade sand is reshaping coastlines, destabilizing ecosystems, and putting activists in the crosshairs of violent mafias.

The Anasazi, a once-flourishing tribe in the American Southwest, lived on bounties of corn, squash and beans. In 1276 A.D., however, a long, unforgiving drought made agriculture untenable, forcing them to migrate away from their settlements.

A close-knit neighborhood in Sand Springs is raising alarms about a proposal to mine sand along its community beach, saying the plan could permanently change the area and the way families have lived for decades.

Most beaches have sand that’s pale, soft, and familiar. But some beaches stand out because of their sand color.

Total U.S. crude oil production averaged an estimated 8.6 million barrels per day in August, the highest monthly production since July 1986, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Just a few years ago investors were contemplating the ...