Verone Bernard

Open Access Peer Reviewed DOI: 10.3768/rtipress.2025.cp.0020.2505 Abstract Microplastics are smaller than 5 micrometers (µm) and originate either from intentional manufacturing at that size (primary microplastics: personal care products, paints, glitter, etc.) or from the fragmentation of larger plastics in use or after disposal (secondary microplastics).

Flooding in Libya and Pakistan. Drought and locusts in Ethiopia. The global COVID-19 pandemic. Disasters like these are a fact of life – and they’re becoming more common, more intense, and more costly because of rapid urbanization and climate change. Cities are particularly vulnerable to disasters: Half of the world’s population currently lives in cities and two-thirds will by 2040.