text: do you think if we get rid of our independence on the internal combustion engine? and the oil that runs them. will the middle east have to start sell sand to make glass so they can keep there lifestyle? actually, smart middle eastern countries are preparing for this. take dubai as an example. they are foreseeing that oil will run out at sometime in the near future. so what they are transitioning into a tourist attraction. they are infact building super luxury manmade islands in the shape of the continents, and have built a super luxury island in the shape of a palm tree!!! since i am a proffesional soils engineer i can tell you that what they are doing there is truly magnificent in engineering terms and very smart in terms of business.   so in a way you are already right in your question. dubai is already selling sand!!! and even more amazing, wealthy people are already buying it at astounding prices!!!