Daily Archives: September 2, 2021

Psoriasis and COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters – Everyday Health

Posted: September 2, 2021 at 2:26 pm

In mid-August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)recommended that people who have compromised immune systems get an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

This includes people who have received organ transplants or are undergoing cancer treatment, as well as some individuals with chronic health conditions who are taking drugs that can suppress their immune response, raising their risk of serious, prolonged COVID-19.

If you have psoriasis and are taking an immunosuppressive medication, such as high-dose steroids or a biologic, you may wonder what the new vaccine guidance means for you and when, how, or even if, you should get a booster shot.

Here are some answers to your most pressing questions, with insights from two leading psoriasis experts.

RELATED: Coronavirus Alert: The Latest News, Data, and Expert Insight on the COVID-19 Pandemic

Anyone with psoriatic disease who is being treated with immune-modulating drugs and has already received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna is eligible for a third dose, says Joel Gelfand, MD, the cochair of the National Psoriasis Foundation and a professor of dermatology and epidemiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine in Philadelphia.

Among those patients, Dr. Gelfand believes the following are most likely to benefit from a third shot:

Right now, psoriasis patients and other immune-compromised people who received the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) single-dose vaccine are not eligible for a booster shot.

Since the J&J vaccine has only been available since March 2021, the CDC is waiting for more data before making a recommendation about additional doses for people who are immune-compromised, as well as for the general population.

Preliminary data released by J&J on August 25 suggest that a booster shot could be highly protective.

RELATED: Living With Psoriasis During the Pandemic Can Have a Side Effect: Chronic Guilt

You should talk to the physician you see for psoriasis treatment to [get their input] and determine if you are on an immunosuppressive medication prior to getting the booster shot, saysLisa Zaba, MD, PhD, a clinical associate professor of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine in Palo Alto, California.

You dont need a prescription or a doctors note to get a third shot, but you should bring your vaccination card. The dose will be the same as the first and second shot, and the side effects should be similar, says the CDC.

If possible, yes, says Gelfand. The CDC is recommending that people get the same vaccine they received for their first two shots, so if you are already inoculated with either Pfizer or Moderna, you should get the same for your third shot.

If that isnt feasible, or you dont know which vaccine your received for your first two doses, the agency says you should get your additional dose with either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.

For people who are immune-compromised or taking immune-suppressing medications, its recommended that they wait at least 28 days after they had the second dose before getting a booster, says Zaba.

Not necessarily, says Gelfand. Of the treatments commonly used for psoriasis, only methotrexate has been found to result in modest reductions in antibody response to the mRNA [messenger RNA] vaccines [from Pfizer and Moderna]. And the clinical significance of this finding is not known.

Gelfand also notes that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized expanded use of two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccines on the basis of data from patients who received an organ transplant and, as a result, were significantly immunosuppressed.

Research has shown that these patients were not able to mount a significant immune response to the initial two-dose vaccine and that a third dose could help increase the amount of protective antibodies in their blood.

RELATED: Study Finds That People on Methotrexate Mount a Weaker Immune Response to a COVID-19 Vaccine

Its very important to talk to your doctor before making any changes in your psoriasis medication, says Gelfand.

He notes that patients taking methotrexate with well-controlled disease may in consultation with their doctors consider pausing their medication for two weeks after getting the booster.

While this approach may improve antibody response, its not known if it will result in any meaningful benefit in terms of the risk of contracting COVID-19 or developing severe disease, he says.

Because the effects of pausing methotrexate after getting a COVID-19 vaccine arent yet known, people with psoriasis who paused their medication after the first two COVID-19 vaccine doses should still consider getting a third shot, says Zaba.

A third dose will likely provide you with better protection, but how much better is not yet clear, says Zaba.

Some studies have found that people who were severely immunocompromised and had virtually no protection from the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine had an improved antibody response after a third shot of the same vaccine, says the CDC.

Right now, we dont know if a third or booster shot has clinically meaningfully benefits [for psoriasis patients on immunosuppressive medication], says Gelfand. But given the emergence of the Delta variant, which is much more transmissible than previous variants, its likely that booster vaccines will be necessary and helpful.

Even after receiving a third dose of the vaccine, youll need to take extra precautions to avoid exposure to COVID-19, such as wearing a mask (especially inside) and avoiding crowds.

To reduce your odds of exposure, its also important that your family members and other close contacts get vaccinated.

If they are already immunized, they too will be eligible for a third shot beginning on September 20. Thats when the federal government is planning to roll out boosters for all Americans who received their second vaccine dose at least eight months prior.

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Psoriasis treatment: effective new medicine available on NHS within weeks – iNews

Posted: at 2:26 pm

A game-changing treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis could become available on the NHS within four weeks after being approved by the UK drugs regulator.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory (MHRA) has given the go-ahead for Bimekizumab to be used for adults with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.

The regulator authorised the drug after a major trial found it effectively cured 62 per cent of moderate to severe cases of the disease.

The breakthrough has the potential to transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in the UK, who frequently feel physically uncomfortable and self-conscious because of their condition.

Psoriasis is a skin disease that affects more than 1.3 million people in the UK, causing red, itchy scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp.

It is a common, long-term disease with no cure. About 200,000 people in the UK have a moderate to severe form of the disease.

We have witnessed first-hand the mental strength and resilience need to live with this condition and look forward to making this new treatment option available to patients, said Claire Brading, managing director UK and Ireland at UCB, the Belgium pharma company that developed the drug.

Doctors have welcomed the development.

Psoriasis impacts every part of the lives of people living with the condition, from work to relationships, said Professor Richard Warren, consultant dermatologist at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.

Bimekizumab has shown strong results in head-to-head trials with higher rates of skin clearance achieved versus some of the most prescribed therapies, a key outcome for patients. Its a highly effective option for patients suffering from moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, he said.

Existing treatments have improved the lives of thousands of people but these only work for a minority of patients and the effect often wears off after a year or so and symptoms return.

But trials of bimekizumab sold under the brand name Bimzelx show it is working well after two to three years and the researchers are confident that, for the vast majority of those patients who benefit, the effect will last for as long as it is needed, over many years.

As such, while its not a cure as it will come back if the treatment is stopped it completely removes the symptoms while the drug is taken, for the 62 per cent of patients it works for.

The new drug is initially given through an injection that is self-administered once a month to begin with and then every two months after 16 weeks.

Psoriasis is caused when an overactive immune system causes skin cells to grow too quickly. The drug works by dampening down its activity.

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I Never Thought Arthritis Would Derail My Career. Here’s What I Wish I Had Known. – ELLE.com

Posted: at 2:26 pm

Courtesy of Lauren Scholl

Chicago-area resident Lauren Scholl, 33, was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis four years ago. Heres her story.

About five years ago, I started experiencing extreme pain in my feet. I was a competitive ballroom-dance instructor and professional dancer at the time, and I just assumed the pain was because I was constantly on my feet at work. But this pain was tough to work around.

I had intense stiffness in my feet, and my toes could not flexthere was no range of motion at all. I couldnt even get into a lunge position or kneel and put my toes on the ground because they just wouldnt move that way. When I walked, it felt like my feet had bruises all over them, even though they looked fine from the outside.

I was shockedI was just 28 at the time. Could arthritis really affect me at such a young age?

I finally decided it was time to see a podiatrist. He took X-rays of my legs and feet and spotted specific arthritis patterns in my toes. I was shockedI was just 28 at the time. Could arthritis really affect me at such a young age?

I was referred to a rheumatologist, who ran blood work, examined my X-rays, and asked about my personal and family history, taking careful note of the fact that autoimmune diseases run in my family. Eventually I was given a diagnosis: I had psoriatic arthritis.

I didnt know it at the time, but psoriatic arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that causes swelling in the joints. It usually happens in conjunction with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition that causes itchy, scaly patches of irritated skin. I had been diagnosed with psoriasis about five years prior, which helped my doctor make the connection.

By the end of the day, I was physically and emotionally exhausted from fighting through agony.

The initial medication I was put on didnt work well for me. I suddenly developed depression, which I had never had in my life. I didnt even know how to identify it when it first showed up, but eventually I realized that the way I was feeling wasnt normal. So my doctor switched my medication after six months.

It didnt help that I was also struggling a lot at work as a dance instructor because of the pain. I tried to ignore it, but by the end of the day, I was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausted from fighting through so much agony. On top of that, I got pregnant. The extra stress of pregnancy on my expanding and changing body made things that much harder.

Around this same time, I was introduced to an online arthritis support organization called CreakyJoints, where I met people who helped me deal with my illness. They also helped me make tweaks to my everyday lifestyle. I learned to track my symptoms to identify triggers; eliminate certain foods from my diet that contained sugar, gluten, and dairy; and schedule my work days and social calendar around the times I was least symptomatic, to minimize the pain as best as I could.

Unfortunately with my condition, I experienced discomfort both when I was active and when I was at rest. I took a lot of over-the-counter (OTC) anti-inflammatories and I tried ice, heat, and any type of OTC topical cream that stood a chance of making me feel better. But the pain persevered, and it started spreading to other areas of my body, like my knees and shoulders. Each day was a struggle, but I loved dance so much and it was the one thing I didnt want to give it up. I remember giving myself daily pep talks about how I could get through this and tough it out, even though it was becoming increasingly clear that I couldnt.

Finally, my body was not able to handle it anymore. I decided to leave dance. I was devastateddance was a part of my identitybut I had to make a change. I couldn't take the intense daily agony.

I found a way to work around my illness that was holding me back.

I was a stay-at-home mom for a bit, but I learned that just wasnt for me. I felt like I had more to share with the world, and I wanted to continue to pursue my career. I realized that what I loved most about performing was being activeand I wasnt going to let psoriatic arthritis take that away from me. So I decided to get my personal training certification, and later went on to become a certified nutrition coach, too. I now train clients full-time and in person, and help others that I cant see in person through comprehensive fitness and nutrition online coaching.

Courtesy of Lauren Scholl

Personal training is a way for me to continue to be active, and its more manageable than constantly demonstrating dance moves (or doing them in competitions). For example, if I need to sit on a bench while Im working, I can sit on a bench. That wasnt an option when I was teaching people to danceI would need to physically dance with someone to teach them the steps. Now I use my words a bit more than my body to help people get to where they need to be. Ive found a way to work around an illness that was holding me back, and I try to instill that in the people I work with now, too. You may get injured or experience another roadblock along your journey, but that doesnt mean you have to stop exercising or working toward your goalsyou just have to get creative and find ways around it.

Im still battling my illness. I have good days and bad days. And Im still trying to find the right medication or combination of medications that can get my inflammation markers down. But overall, Im trying to find the right balance of living my life to the fullest while minimizing my pain, and Im hopeful that Ill be able to do just that.

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FDA’s new JAK safety restrictions spell trouble for AbbVie’s Rinvoq, but to what extent? – FiercePharma

Posted: at 2:26 pm

AbbVies megablockbuster Rinvoq ambition suffered a blow thanks to an updated safety warning and treatment restriction from the FDA. But pharma watchers have different opinions on just how significant the impact will be on AbbVie's JAK inhibitor.

In an announcement Wednesday, the FDA is revising Rinvoqs boxed warning to include information about increased risks of serious heart-related events, cancer, blood clots and death. The agency is also limiting the drugs use to patients whove tried but failed on at least one TNF inhibitor. Pfizer's Xeljanz and Eli Lilly's Olumiant, both also JAK inhibitors, were hit with the same limitations.

If Rinvoq is only used in second or later lines, it could mean a $1 billion to $3 billion reduction from AbbVies $8 billion 2025 sales estimate for the drug, SVB Leerink Geoffrey Porges wrote in a Wednesday note to investors. For his part, Bernstein analyst Ronny Gal reined in his 2030 sales projection for Rinvoq to $11.2 billion from the previous $17.2 billion.

To Porges, the updated safety language, which stemmed from findings from a postmarketing study by Pfizers fellow JAK inhibitor Xeljanz, wasnt too surprising. But he didnt foresee the post-TNF restriction.

Still, as Porges, Evercore ISI analyst Josh Schimmer and Piper Sandler analyst Christopher Raymond noted in their separate analyses, doctors are already reserving JAK inhibitors for arthritis patients who failed on TNF inhibitor out of a sense of abundant caution for safety and also due to payer restrictions.

RELATED: JAK inhibitors from Pfizer, AbbVie and Lilly hit with dreaded FDA heart safety, cancer warnings

As Schimmer pointed out, the majority of current and projected Rinvoq use is indeed in the post-TNF inhibitor treatment setting. A recent survey of 100 high-volume U.S. rheumatologists that Piper Sandler conducted with Spherix Global Insights showed that only 14% of patients are getting Rinvoq as prior to TNF inhibitors. And a large number of physicians are avoiding JAKs for patients with high or moderate blood clot risks.

Rinvoq is currently approved to treat moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis after failure on methotrexate. Its label before the FDA update already included a boxed warning on blood clots, lymphoma and other malignancies and serious infections.

While Porges said Rinvoqs U.S. potential is almost certainly reduced, he still thinks its feasible that the drug can get to the $3.5 billion to $4.5 billion U.S. sales required for AbbVie to hit its $8 billion worldwide goal. If the U.S. market turns out to be more challenging, AbbVie could turn to Europe, where Rinvoq just won a go-ahead in atopic dermatitis without safety pushback from the European Medicines Agency, Porges suggested.

For its part, AbbVie is seeking FDA's blessing to expand Rinvoq into atopic dermatitis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis plus expects a potential filing in ulcerative colitis. But because the FDA is now pushing Rinvoqs use behind TNF in all approved indications, earlier use for those diseases are off the table, Porges said.

RELATED: AbbVie's big Rinvoq ambitionsand the larger JAK classface even more uncertainty with latest FDA delays

But Gal is less optimistic. The Bernstein analyst now sees higher risks that the JAK inhibitor class may not win FDA approvals in less severe dermatological diseases such as atopic dermatitis and psoriasis. Besides Rinvoq, Xeljanz and Olumiant are also awaiting FDA decisions on their atopic dermatitis filings.

He sees a bigger problem than just the anti-TNFs. In other indications that Rinvoqs eyeing, Gal suspected that the FDA will likely also sequence it behind other classes of drugs such as Johnson & Johnsons IL-23 inhibitor Stelara, Sanofis IL-4/13 inhibitor Dupixent and even S1P modulators such as Bristol Myers Squibbs Zeposia.

It may also be that FDA will choose to prevent or further curtail use of the JAK inhibitors in disease conditions where the risk-reward is lower, Gal wrote in a note Wednesday.

By comparison, Piper Sandlers Raymond maintained his 2025 sales estimate for Rinvoq at $8.13 billion. In rheumatoid arthritis, Raymond viewed the label revisions as affecting Rinvoq on the margin. As for eczema, he has long been putting Rinvoqs future use to be after Dupixent.

RELATED: AbbVie's Rinvoq marches toward blockbuster ulcerative colitis nod even as JAK delays drag on

AbbVie has an option to dig itself out of the safety mess. As the FDA acknowledged, Rinvoq and Olumiant were dragged into the same safety warning and use limitation because they share similar mechanisms as Xeljanz. AbbVie could therefore conduct a large postmarketing study for Rinvoq, similar to the Pfizer trial, to prove its case to the FDA.

While the Xeljanz trial took seven years to complete, Gal suggested five years would be a reasonable estimate for a similar Rinvoq trial. Porges pointed out the study needs to show definite proof of the absence of harm to be able to reverse the troublesome labeling. Porges expects AbbVie wont decide on whether to run such a trial until early 2022.

AbbVie did not respond to a request for comment.

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Pityriasis Rosea and Diet: Is There a Connection? – Healthline

Posted: at 2:26 pm

Pityriasis rosea is a skin condition that causes a Christmas tree rash. It starts with one patch, known as the mother patch, and branches out with smaller daughter patches on other parts of the body.

Although the rash will go away on its own with time, some people turn to medication, topical treatments, and dietary changes in an attempt to improve their symptoms (1, 2).

This article explores whether any diet, supplements, or other treatments can help treat pityriasis rosea.

Pityriasis rosea is a skin condition. It causes scaly, oval-shaped rashes that begin on the stomach, back, or chest and branch out onto the neck, arms, and legs (1, 2).

Its considered a self-limiting condition, meaning that it goes away on its own. It typically lasts 68 weeks, though it can last longer in some people (1, 2).

In most cases, the rash does not return once it has gone away, although one small study estimated that around 25% of people will experience recurrence (3).

Some, but not all, people with pityriasis rosea experience mild itching. Other symptoms of the condition are fatigue, nausea, headaches, fever, and sore throat. These symptoms can occur before or at the same time as the rash (2).

Sometimes, pityriasis rosea is mistaken for other skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, or ringworm. Your doctor may order blood tests to rule out other conditions before confirming a pityriasis rosea diagnosis.

The cause of pityriasis rosea is not known. Some speculate that it could be associated with a viral infection because it has been shown to spread through communities (2).

Anyone can get pityriasis rosea, but its most common between the ages of 10 and 35 and in those who are pregnant (2, 4).

Pityriasis rosea in pregnancy may be linked to miscarriage, especially during the first 15 weeks, although this correlation is not confirmed (1).

Because the rash goes away on its own with time, treatment is typically focused on symptom relief. Medical treatment can include antihistamines, topical steroids, and light therapy, all of which aim to reduce the intensity of itching (1).

Pityriasis rosea is a skin condition associated with a rash that can be itchy. The rash goes away on its own, often after 68 weeks, and treatment typically focuses on symptom relief.

No research directly supports the idea that dietary changes can help manage pityriasis rosea.

Still, some people believe that eating an anti-inflammatory diet might improve itching. An anti-inflammatory diet is high in foods that provide antioxidants, beneficial compounds that help prevent oxidative stress in your body (5).

Because pityriasis rosea is thought to be associated with increased oxidative stress, eating a diet high in antioxidants theoretically makes sense. However, there is currently no research supporting this idea (5).

Similarly, some people believe that the Autoimmune Protocol a diet that aims to lower inflammation could reduce pityriasis rosea symptoms (6).

In theory, a diet that decreases inflammation in your body might help manage the itching associated with the condition. However, no research supports this idea.

Current research doesnt suggest that any specific dietary changes can treat pityriasis rosea. Still, some people theorize that anti-inflammatory or antioxidant-rich diets might help relieve itching.

Pityriasis rosea usually goes away on its own, without requiring treatment. Still, certain supplements, topical treatments, medications, and lifestyle changes may offer some relief for those who experience irritated, itchy skin.

No strong evidence indicates that any supplements could help treat pityriasis rosea. However, certain supplements may relieve itchy skin in general.

Research suggests that vitamin D may relieve skin itch associated with eczema, a condition that makes skin red and itchy. One study found that taking 1,5001,600 IU of vitamin D per day reduced the severity of the symptoms (7, 8).

Fish oil is another supplement that has been shown to benefit the skin. One study in rats found that a daily fish oil supplement relieved itchiness associated with dry skin (9, 10).

Taking turmeric as a supplement and applying it topically may also help relieve itchy skin thanks to turmerics anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (11, 12, 13).

Lastly, animal studies have found that compounds in bilberry may relieve itchy skin (14).

Keep in mind that although these potential anti-itch benefits of vitamin D, fish oil, turmeric, and bilberry are promising, more research in humans is still needed.

Further, these supplements have not been studied specifically in relation to pityriasis rosea. If youre experiencing itchy skin from the rash, its best to talk with your doctor to see if any of these supplements are worth a try.

Certain topical treatments may relieve some of the itching caused by pityriasis rosea.

Hydrocortisone is a cream that reduces your skins immune response to relieve itching, swelling, and redness. However, its not recommended for long-term use, so its a good idea to check with your doctor if youre interested in trying it (15).

Another option is calamine lotion. It contains zinc oxide, an essential mineral that can help with itching. It does so by decreasing the effects of histamine, a compound thats part of your bodys immune response and is associated with symptoms like itching (16).

Applying aloe vera may also cool and calm itchy skin. You can find bottled aloe vera in stores or use the gel from a fresh aloe vera leaf. When looking for aloe vera products, check out the ingredients and choose one that has aloe vera listed first (17).

Interestingly, oatmeal has been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may soothe irritated skin. Simply add 12 cups of oats to a bath and soak for 1520 minutes. You can also look for lotions containing oatmeal to enjoy its benefits (18, 19).

While these topical remedies may provide some relief, they wont treat the condition. Further, even though theyre generally considered safe, its best to talk with your doctor before trying them, especially if youre pregnant or breastfeeding.

Your doctor may be able to prescribe a stronger topical treatment if none of these over-the-counter options do the trick.

Over-the-counter antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec) can relieve itching by blocking the effects of histamine. Keep in mind, though, that some types may make you sleepy (20, 21).

Acyclovir, a drug often used to treat chickenpox, may also help those with pityriasis rosea. In fact, research has found that it may reduce skin redness, relieve symptoms, and even reduce the duration of rash (22, 23, 24).

A type of anti-inflammatory medications known as corticosteroids may also improve symptoms, although they are recommended only for severe or lingering cases of the condition. One study found that relapse rate was higher in those who were treated with a corticosteroid (25).

Some lifestyle factors may affect your skin, especially if youre dealing with a rash.

Try to avoid hot temperatures, as they can cause sweating, which might irritate your rash. Hot baths and showers and perfume-containing soaps and lotions may also cause irritation.

Because symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, fever, and sore throat can occur before or at the same time as the rash, be sure to get plenty of rest, stay hydrated, and check in with your doctor to make sure youre staying healthy.

Although pityriasis rosea cant be cured, certain medications, topical treatments, supplements, and lifestyle changes may reduce your symptoms.

There is currently no research to suggest that dietary changes can help treat or manage pityriasis rosea.

However, remedies such as antihistamines and topical treatments can help relieve itchy, irritated skin. And avoiding hot temperatures may help you avoid further irritating your skin.

Its best to talk with your doctor to find out which options may work best for you especially if youre pregnant or breastfeeding.

Remember, the rash usually goes away on its own without treatment.

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30 best nature documentaries of all time | 790 KGMI – KGMI

Posted: at 2:25 pm

Captivated by the mating habits of jellyfish, elephants mourning their ancestors, and proud lionesses cuddling their cubs, audiences love to peer into the private lives of creatures great and smallparticularly in spectacular settings around the world. A study conducted by the BBC together with the University of California Berkeley revealed just why viewers choose to kick back and tune into programs like Honey Badgers: Masters of Mayhem and The Tigers of Scotlandnature documentaries trigger the neurochemicals of happiness, reducing stress and anxiety.

Some of the best exponents of the genre come from the BBC Natural History Unit, which has been cranking out award-winning nature documentaries since 1957, often in conjunction with natural historian and television producer Sir David Attenborough. Now in his 90s, Attenborough has worked with the BBC for over 25 years and is the genius behind several acclaimed series, including Life and The Blue Planet, which continue to be watched by millions of people worldwide.

In recent years, a growing number of filmmakers have used their platforms to raise public consciousness about the many threats posed by global warming. Coral bleaching, rising sea levels, farm animal cruelty, and melting polar ice-caps have all been addressed in documentaries, as well as the significant role played by human beings concerning climate change and environmental degradation. Celebrity activists, includingLeonardo DiCaprio, Laurence Fishburne, Oprah Winfrey, andJoaquin Phoenix have also lent their status to the movement, behind the camera as well as in front of it.

Stacker put together a list of the 30 best nature documentaries of all time, based on IMDb user ratings. Consideration went to documentaries and single-season documentary miniseries focused on plants, animals, and the environment. Read on to find out which films exposed barbarous ancient fishing practices, employed revolutionary photography techniques, or were recently outed for faking content.

You may also like: Rare animals featured in Planet Earth, Our Planet, and other nature documentaries

Directors: Kip Andersen, Keegan Kuhn IMDb user rating: 8.2 Metascore: data not available Runtime: 90 minutes

Kip Andersons Indiegogo-funded Cowspiracy highlights the uncomfortable relationship between big agriculture and carbon emissions. As much a movement as a documentary, Cowspiracy urges its audience to eschew animal products in an empowering, grassroots campaign to battle climate change. A 2015 cut of the film released on Netflix was produced by celebrity activist Leonardo DiCaprio.

Director: Fisher Stevens IMDb user rating: 8.2 Metascore: 63 Runtime: 96 minutes

In Before the Flood, United Nations Messenger of Peace Leonardo DiCaprio takes viewers on a journey around the world, illustrating the threat posed by global warming. Directed by Academy Award-winner Fisher Stevens, this National Geographic production practices what it preaches, offsetting carbon emissions created during production with a voluntary carbon tax.

Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi IMDb user rating: 8.2 Metascore: 83 Runtime: 100 minutes

Free Solo is the term for the kind of climbing done alone (solo) and without the usual harnesses, ropes, and carabiners that most rock climbers use as a form of security and safety (free of that stuff). The documentary captures climber Alex Honnolds free soloclimbs up virtually vertical slabs of rock, capturing with dizzying clarity just how dangerous these climbs are. The film builds to his ascent of El Capitan in Yosemite National Parka well-known climbing destination of 3,000-plus feet.

IMDb user rating: 8.3 Votes: 2,650

A sequel to Walking with Dinosaurs, this joint BBC/Discovery Channel effort explores life on Earth immediately after the big lizards became extinct. Sir Kenneth Brannagh narrates this three-hour look at the habits and habitats of wooly mammoths and saber-tooth lions.

Director: Jamie Uys IMDb user rating: 8.3 Metascore: data not available Runtime: 92 minutes

Directed by Jamie Uys of The Gods Must Be Crazy fame, Beautiful People (also released as Animals are Beautiful People) takes a gentle and frequently humorous look at South African wildlife. A scene in which inebriated animals indulge in fermented fruit is one of the highlights of this 1975 Golden Globe winner.

Director: Dereck Joubert IMDb user rating: 8.3 Metascore: 69 Runtime: 88 minutes

The brainchild of conservationists and filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert, The Last Lions plays like a feature film as it chronicles the trials and tribulations of Ma di Taua remarkable lioness committed to defending her family in Botswanas treacherous Okavango Delta. Narrated by actor Jeremy Irons, the film draws attention to the plight of the wild lion population, which has dwindled from approximately 450,000 to 20,000 in the last 50 years.

Director: Louie Psihoyos IMDb user rating: 8.3 Metascore: 81 Runtime: 90 minutes

Racing Extinction explores the devastating effects of climate change on the worlds oceans. Human activitynotably energy consumptioncurrently threatens half of the worlds aquatic species with mass extinction. Helmed by Academy Award-winning director Louie Psihoyos, this 2015 documentary urges viewers to act before its too late.

Director: Ali Tabrizi IMDb user rating: 8.3 Metascore: data not available Runtime: 89 minutes

The global fishing industry is bad. Thats what directorAli Tabrizi comes to realize, after initially setting out to capture the glories under the oceans surface. What he finds instead is a Seaspiracy, as the miracles of marine life are poisoned, destroyed, and otherwise harmed by humans. Between damaging fishing practices, wastes like plastic that never really go away, archaic hunting practices, and general pollution and noises, the seas are being slowly killed.

Director: Godfrey Reggio IMDb user rating: 8.3 Metascore: 72 Runtime: 86 minutes

Koyaanisqatsi is a Hopi word that translates to life out of balance and is also the subject of director Godfrey Reggios 1982 documentary, which details the inherent conflict between nature and urbanism. An original score by legendary composer Philip Glass complements the stunning cinematography.

IMDb user rating: 8.4 Votes: 2,664

This groundbreaking six-part series transported never-before-seen images of Chinese wildlife into homes around the world. A Sino-British production, the project took more than two years to complete and includes rare footage of some of Chinas most remote regions, including the Mongolian steppes and the Yuanyang rice terraces.

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Director: Louie Psihoyos IMDb user rating: 8.4 Metascore: 84 Runtime: 92 minutes

Using high-definition cameras disguised as rocks, director Louie Psihoyos and his crew exposed the covert and cruel practice of dolphin drive-hunting in Taiji, Japan, whereby schools of dolphins are hoarded into coves, trapped, and killed for profit. Winner of the 2010 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, The Cove sparked outrage among animal activists worldwide as well as a hotly contested backlash against the Japanese fishing community.

Directors: Juliano Ribeiro Salgado, Wim Wenders IMDb user rating: 8.5 Metascore: 83 Runtime: 110 minutes

The Salt of the Earth follows acclaimed septuagenarian photographer Sebastio Salgado in his quest to document the planets most arresting landscapes and their inhabitants. Directed by Juliano Ribeiro Salgado (the subjects son), together with indie icon Wim Wenders, the film was nominated for the 2015 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

Director: Ron Fricke IMDb user rating: 8.5 Metascore: 65 Runtime: 102 minutes

From Baraka filmmakers Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson, this mesmerizing, non-narrative documentary was filmed over a period of five years in over 25 different countries. Shot using visually superior 70mm film, Samsara explores human spirituality as it relates to the Earths natural rhythms.

Director: Yann Arthus-Bertrand IMDb user rating: 8.6 Metascore: 47 Runtime: 118 minutes

Earth, home to all human beings, is the star of this stunning documentary by French director Luc Besson. The film showcases awe-inspiring aerial landscapes from 54 different countries while simultaneously citing alarming statistics about climate change and its potentially devastating effects.

IMDb user rating: 8.7 Votes: 2,230

Released as South Pacific in the U.K., this six-part BBC series narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch explores the unique ecosystems of isolated South Pacific islands, including the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Palau, and Palmyra. Shot entirely in high definition, the final installment highlights climate-related dangers such as rising seas, overfishing, and reef damage.

IMDb user rating: 8.9 Votes: 3,892

University of Manchester physicist Brian Cox contemplates the origins of the universe and the history of man in this cerebral, four-part BBC documentary. A follow up to the 2010 series Wonders of the Solar System, Cox turns to science for answers to existential questions that have plagued humanity since the dawn of consciousness.

IMDb user rating: 9.0 Votes: 3,021

Natures Most Amazing Events turns the camera lens on some of the most fascinating wildlife on the planet, including polar bears, sharks, and enormous schools of sardines. Aerial photography and time-lapse imagery are the hallmarks of this six-hour collaboration between The Discovery Channel and the BBC.

IMDb user rating: 9.0 Votes: 3,458

Another David Attenborough vehicle, this 2005 BBC documentary exposes the secret lives of insects. Employing the latest technological advances in macrophotography, Life in the Undergrowth raised the bar for wildlife documentary filmmaking.

IMDb user rating: 9.0 Votes: 14,355

Africa takes viewers on an unprecedented journey across the deserts, savannahs, and jungles of this geographically diverse continent. Presented by David Attenborough, Africa is just one of several BBC documentaries funded by Chinese state broadcasting network China Central Television.

IMDb user rating: 9.0 Votes: 24,030

Human Planet, another BBC/Discovery project, examines how people survive in some of the most brutal environments on the planet by building relationships with animals. Rocked by scandal in 2018, the documentary was pulled from Netflix amidst accusations of faked footage.

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IMDb user rating: 9.0 Votes: 27,270

Polar bears and penguins are front and center in this high-definition look at life both above and below the ice. A BBC classic presented by natural historian and television personality Sir David Attenborough, Frozen Planet focuses on the Arctic and Antarcticthe two regions on the planet at greatest risk from global warming.

IMDb user rating: 9.0 Votes: 35,491

Approximately three-quarters of the Earths surface is covered by waterthe subject of this riveting eight-part BBC series narrated by David Attenborough, which took home four Emmys and a Peabody Award. In 2018, a newly discovered species of ocean plankton was christened Syracosphaera azureaplaneta in honor of the series.

Director: Chris Delforce IMDb user rating: 9.1 Metascore: data not available Runtime: 120 minutes

Infamous for shocking and disturbing footage of animal cruelty, Dominion forces viewers to confront how the sausage gets madein this case, how the hamburgers, ribs, and chicken breasts people enjoy are the end result ofthe nauseating practices of meat farming. The creators behind this documentary managed to get footage inside large-scale production farms and plants, using hidden cameras and drones to capture truly upsetting scenes of animal abuse that are a routine part of getting meat onto plates. Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara narrate.

IMDb user rating: 9.1 Votes: 3,804

A follow-up to BBCs The Life of Birds, The Life of Mammals explores the origins and habits of arguably the planets most engaging and improvising inhabitants. Highlights include nonagenarian presenter David Attenborough hanging out with a sloth.

IMDb user rating: 9.1 Votes: 38,298

A BBC/Discovery co-production, Life focuses on Charles Darwins struggle for existence. Presenter David Attenborough narrated the original U.K. version of the film, but was replaced by Oprah Winfrey for the documentarys U.S. release.

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IMDb user rating: 9.3 Votes: 3,793

Its kill or be killed in this high-stakes BBC series, which casts killer whales and polar bears in a sympathetic light. Narrated by David Attenborough, The Hunt employed novel filming techniques to get the perfect shot, including cameras suspended from elephants.

IMDb user rating: 9.3 Votes: 34,387

This sequel to the 2001 BBC series Blue Planet takes a second look at the high seas with new technology built especially for the follow-up series. Presenter David Attenborough guides viewers through the mating practices of ocean dwellers and warns against the dangers of global warming.

IMDb user rating: 9.3 Votes: 34,571

The new Netflix film Our Planet isnt a BBC production, but it sure looks like one. Produced by the same team responsible for Planet Earth and featuring the venerable David Attenborough, the film goes where many earlier nature documentaries feared to tread, compelling audiences to accept their own role in the destruction of the environment.

IMDb user rating: 9.4 Votes: 169,174

The BBCs most expensive nature project, this remarkable 11-part series transported audiences to a panoply of natural habitats spread over 64 different countries. Actor Sigourney Weaver narrates the U.S. release, stepping in for icon of British natural history, David Attenborough.

IMDb user rating: 9.5 Votes: 99,168

Planet Earth II treads the same terrain as its predecessor, the 2006 mega-documentary Planet Earth. All manner of creatures eat, hunt and mate, but a decade later they do so in Ultra-HD, which makes for even more riveting viewing.

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Holiday events to return to Disney Cruise Line in autumn 2022 – InterPark

Posted: at 2:25 pm

Holiday events will resume on board the Disney Cruise Line, starting with Halloween on the High Seas in the autumn of 2022.

Disney Cruise Line cruises will depart from New York, Texas, Florida and California, giving guests of all ages the opportunity to experience holidays at sea.

Halloween on the High Seas will return in mid-September and run until October 2022 on certain sailings. Guests can dress up in Halloween costumes and join their favourite Disney characters at Mickeys Mouse-querade Party.

The ships will be adorned in elaborate spooky decorations, including a magical Pumpkin Tree.

From November until December, Disney Cruise Line fleets will be home to Very Merrytime Cruises, with festive characters, visits from Father Christmas, and more.

Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line, commented on the return of holidays at sea: With five ships setting sail in fall 2022 from different homeports around the country, we are excited to offer more ways than ever before for families to make special memories with Disney Cruise Line.

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Navigation may have originated in India 6,000 years ago – Here’s why – DNA India

Posted: at 2:25 pm

Navigation is a field of study that has been monumental in globalising the world, enabling people, societies and cultures to mix, and trade and economics to thrive.

History has seen great adventurers who navigated the high seas to reach lands unknown and far away. Explorers like Vasco Da Gama, Ferdinand Magellan, Christopher Columbus, Zheng He and Jacques Cartier charted territories unknown to Europe in the pre-modern history.

However, the science of navigation took thousands of years to perfect and reach a point where large ships with giant sails and hundreds of men can chart their course aided by celestial maps and knowledge of climate, tides and currents.

In fact, one of the earliest documented histories of navigation come from those that found their way around the Indus River more than 5-6000 years ago.

Heres what we know about it.

Indian maritime history is as old as 3,000 BC

It begins with the people of the Indus Valley Civilisation who traded with the Mesopotamian Civilisation. The Vedic records suggest that Indian merchants had trade contacts in the far east and Arabia. There is certain evidence of a Naval Department existing during the Mauryan period.

The worlds oldest dock

The worlds first dock was discovered to have been built by the Harappans at Lothal in around 2,400 BC. Scientifically located away from the tides to avoid silt deposit, the Lothal dock was equipped to berth and service ships. Modern oceanographers believe that Harappans possessed great knowledge of tides as exhibited by the hydrography and maritime engineering here.

The Astrolabe

A wonderous specimen of Indian ingenuity is said to be the 14th Century Astrolabe called the Yantraraja or King of Instruments which is housed in the Geneva Museum of Science. This instrument was used to navigate the high-seas and is of Indo-Moroccan origin with Sanskrit inscriptions.

The word Navigation may have originated from Sanskrit

The word 'navigation' is said to have originated from the Sanskrit language, and arises from the Sanskrit word navgatih. The word 'navy' comes from the word nov.

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‘Outlander’: Sam Heughan Just Offered Up Another Disappointing Update — But It Has Nothing to Do With the End of Droughtlander – Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Posted: at 2:25 pm

Sam Heughan and his Outlander co-stars have wrapped filming for season 6. But new episodes are still a few months away, as the season is currently in post-production. While fans patiently wait for the end of this extra-long Droughtlander, many have been following Heughan on social media for any news about the upcoming season.

The recent update he offered up was quite disappointing. But it had nothing to do with new Outlander episodes.

After the Outlander cast and crew finished filming the episodes for season 6, Heughan decided it was the perfect time to go on vacation. The 41-year-old headed to Mexico, and he sparked a major fan reaction when he posted a pic of his pull-up workout at the Tulum Beach Jungle Gym.

Its a jungle out there! , Heughan joked in the caption.

Fans couldnt help but notice his washboard abs. But some were convinced the pull-ups skills he was supposedly showing off werent very truthful. Heughans co-star Graham McTavish (Dougal Mackenzie) was pretty sure that the pull-up bar was for kids.

Are you much taller than last I saw you? McTavish asked.

Its been nearly a decade since Heughan landed the role of Jamie Fraser on Outlander. And he says that when a season comes to an end, its getting harder and harder to switch off his character.

It really is a sort of transitional moment, Heughan said of finishing a season, during an interview on the Just the Facts with Alex Zane podcast . Its sometimes hard to switch off, and for the first few days after shooting and completing a season of Outlander youre still on this hamster wheel of getting things done and doing things.

One of the side business projects Heughan started after becoming world famous for playing Jamie Fraser on Outlander was his Great Glen Company. His first move was to achieve his lifelong dream of making his own malt. Which resulted in his premium blended Scotch whiskey, The Sassenach.

Named for his nickname for on-screen love interest Claire (Caitriona Balfe), Heughans Sassenach whiskey is extremely popular and not easy to find.

Earlier this year, he announced that a Spirit of Home edition of his bestselling, award-winning Sassenach whiskey would be available to order in the United States starting on August 25 at SassenachSpirits.com. But in his latest update, Heughan revealed that a global shipping crisis has caused a delay.

In his post, Heughan shared a fun animated video to illustrate that his Sassenach whiskey was on its WAYYYYYHEY!!!!! . The actor asked his fans to bear with him while he figured out a new order date for his Spirit of Home edition.

As you may be aware, there is extreme congestion at seaports worldwide and a global shortage of shipping containers and trucks, Heughan explained.

Unfortunately, we have also become affected by this global shipping crisis and are left with no choice but to slightly delay our planned August 25th release. Rest assured that the new date will be announced shortly as The Sassenach Spirit of Home Edition is currently on the high seas, heading to the United States!

Before creating Sassenach, Heughan says he was approached by multiple distilleries to white label. Which basically means putting his name on a current brand. But he wanted to create his own unique blend that reflected his taste, while transporting him back to the mountains and glens of Scotland.

To take me home, we created The Spirit of Home blend, after traveling the length of the country, meeting various master distillers and producers, Heughan told The Sun. This limited edition reflects my love of aged single malt, sweet oloroso cask finish, and even a nod to the Japanese blends that are so popular and well balanced.

Before he released the blend, Heughan says he tested it out on his Outlander co-stars. He presented each of them with a bottle before the season 5 premiere. However, he took no responsibility for the carnage that happened afterwards.

Season 6 of Outlander is expected to premiere in February 2022 on Starz.

RELATED: Sam Heughan Opens Up About Life After Outlander

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There is no climate solution without China and America, says Li Shuo – Mongabay.com

Posted: at 2:25 pm

China and the United States account for nearly half the worlds carbon dioxide emissions from energy, while the two countries resource consumption is among the biggest threats to global biodiversity. These issues make China and the U.S. major targets for environmental activists like Greenpeace, one of the worlds most prominent advocacy organizations.

Despite the difference in political systems between China and the U.S., Li Shuo, Senior Climate and Energy Policy Officer at Greenpeace China, says the approach Greenpeace uses in China is actually not too different from elsewhere.

It is an art and craft to build trust, and trust is the most essential ingredient in our business it is what brings the other side closer to you, a state that even if others disagree they respect where you come from, Li Shuo told Mongabay during a recent interview.

Similarly, Li Shuo says that both countries seem to be lagging behind on their climate commitments.

The U.S. and China are rhetorically both for climate action, but my concern is what they are doing in practice is still a far cry from whats needed to keep 1.5C in sight, he said. The U.S. wants to cut 50-52% emissions by 2030. China wants to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. But neither side has so far put concrete policies behind these goals. The climate will not be fooled by big targets if they remain only on paper.

There is no climate solution without the G2 rolling towards the same direction, Li Shuo continued. The U.S. can do all it can to reduce emissions. It wont solve the problem as long as China doesnt comply, and vice versa.

Another near-term opportunity for China and the U.S. to collaborate on a pressing environmental challenge is the upcoming U.N. Conventional on Biological Diversity (CBD). The event, originally scheduled for October 2020, has now been split into two parts: an online high level session in October and a face-to-face conference meeting in spring 2022 in Kunming. The CBD aims to set the post-2020 biodiversity framework, a little more than a decade after the CBD met in Japan to establish the Aichi Biodiversity Targets, which today are mostly viewed as having failed to slow the global extinction crisis.

Li Shuo says that like previous climate accords, the CBD has been good at setting aspirations but weak on implementation.

The key thing to watch is whether Kunming will make any difference on implementation and resource mobilization, Li Shuo said. It risks becoming Aichi 2.0 if it doesnt.

There is little sign of Kunming tackling the harder question of how to get there. If this does not change in the next few months, Kunming will unfortunately become another stop on the long journey of CBDs systematic weakening.

Li Shuo spoke about these issues and more during an August 2021 exchange with Mongabay founder Rhett A. Butler.

Mongabay: What inspired your interest in the environment? And how did your career path unfold?

Li Shuo: I grew up watching Discovery Channel and National Geographic. My interest really started from these documentary films. As a city boy from Beijing, sadly theres not much easy access to nature, but these films brought me far. I was in awe of nature.

In college, I studied international relations and law. I always wanted to combine my academic interest with my interest in nature. So in 2011, when Greenpeace was looking for someone to cover the UN climate negotiations and Chinas environmental politics, I thought thats the dream job. I jumped on board fresh out of college. The next ten years proved to be a rewarding journey. I had the privilege of being on the frontline of international climate diplomacy and witnessing its ups and downs. In the meanwhile, the 2010s is a dynamic period for Chinas domestic environmental politics. We started with the airpocalypse and huge environmental deficits. To be at the center of these challenges and work towards their improvements is what makes me proud.

Mongabay: What is Greenpeaces focus in China? And how does Greenpeace engage with the government?

Li Shuo: Greenpeace is one of the largest NGOs in China. We started our presence here 16 years ago and have more than 80 colleagues now in our Beijing office. We work on almost all the pressing environmental challenges in China. Climate change, air and water pollution, forest, ocean are some of our priority areas over the last decade.

Policy advocacy is a big part of our job. For that, we need to engage regularly with the government. A big part of how we do it in China is actually not too different from elsewhere, but it certainly requires more time and effort. It is an art and craft to build trust, and trust is the most essential ingredient in our business it is what brings the other side closer to you, a state that even if others disagree they respect where you come from.

Mongabay: In a recent presentation you mentioned that opposition to transitioning away from fossil fuels is emerging in China. Is this akin to the sort of campaigns and lobbying weve seen for the past few decades in the U.S.? And how powerful is this movement?

Li Shuo: If one sees through the different ways that politics manifests itself in different countries, the core is not that different. There are industries that will lose out in the low carbon transition in the U.S. and they create political resistance. There are similar forces in China. They may not employ exactly the same tactics of the Koch brothers, but what they want to achieve is essentially the same.

The Chinese industrial opposition is actually a sign that the countrys effort of decarbonization is steering into deep water, that the interests of certain industrial groups are being touched. So in a way, it represents progress. The question that needs to be solved is how to balance divergent interests. In the west, there is the just transition discussion. In its own ways, China is getting to that discussion too. It can learn from the experience elsewhere and contribute back.

Mongabay: In March, bilateral talks between China and the United States took place. The conversation was reportedly frosty and it does not appear that there was much progress on climate. Do you see climate as an area of potential collaboration, where the two superpowers put aside their differences to address what could be a very significant threat to both?

Li Shuo: There is no climate solution without the G2 rolling towards the same direction. Thats certainly not what we saw during the Trump administration. With the Biden administration, the U.S. and China are rhetorically both for climate action, but my concern is what they are doing in practice is still a far cry from whats needed to keep 1.5C in sight. Both countries have put relatively strong targets on paper. The U.S. wants to cut 50-52% emissions by 2030. China wants to achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. But neither side has so far put concrete policies behind these goals. The climate will not be fooled by big targets if they remain only on paper.

As for US-China climate cooperation, people need to recognize that the bilateral relationship has changed significantly in recent years. That will limit the space for working together. I believe the minimum that needs to be secured is engagement. This means no matter how the relationship unfolds, Beijing and Washington will keep the line of communication open for climate change and separate it from the toxic bilateral dynamics. Leaders on both sides need to understand a simple idea, that unlike other issues on the bilateral agenda, climate change is an issue that they could truly not decouple with each other. The U.S. can do all it can to reduce emissions. It wont solve the problem as long as China doesnt comply, and vice versa.

Mongabay: China was supposed to host the CBD last year, but the meeting got postponed due to the pandemic. Where do things stand now on CBD in terms of the governments appetite supporting meaningful efforts to conserve biodiversity?

Li Shuo: The latest is they will have a two-part COP. The first part featuring a high level segment will take place online in October. The second part, which will see face to face negotiations and the adoption of the post-2020 biodiversity framework, will be arranged next spring.

This delay is not ideal, but the real question now is how to use the extra time to beef up the quality of the deal. For decades, the CBD has been good at setting aspirations but weak on implementation. This syndrome is still prevalent in the Kunming round. The key thing to watch is whether Kunming will make any difference on implementation and resource mobilization. It risks becoming Aichi 2.0 if it doesnt.

Mongabay: Do you think COVID will have any sort of lasting impact on Chinas policies around wildlife?

Li Shuo: COVID had a short term positive impact on the wildlife protection agenda. New regulations were passed in 2020 that will improve wildlife management. But the real test is over the long term: Making sure enforcement does not wane over time will be a big challenge.

It is also important to realize that the reforms in 2020 did not touch on the most difficult issues, such as wildlife breeding, habitat loss, and reducing market demand. These issues, if not tackled further, could still be hotbeds for zoonotic diseases in future.

Mongabay: What would you see as the best case outcome from CBD?

Li Shuo: Many people like to see Kunming being the Paris moment for biodiversity. The truth is Kunming will not be Paris if it only sets out some targets. The Paris Agreement not only commits the world to where it needs to be (as in the 1.5C/2C targets), but also did the groundwork of how to actually get there (by having a rulebook and mobilizing climate finance).

There is little sign of Kunming tackling the harder question of how to get there. If this does not change in the next few months, Kunming will unfortunately become another stop on the long journey of CBDs systematic weakening.

Mongabay: BRI is a major part of the Chinese governments plan to expand Chinas influence and power around the world. At present, are there any regulations governing the social and environmental impacts of overseas investment and operations by Chinese companies, including SOEs?

Li Shuo: There is an increasing realization in China that BRI should not be about quantity but quality, including its environmental sustainability. Over the last year, there have been quite a lot of moves in that spirit. For example, the perception of overseas coal projects is changing. The Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC), the largest state owned commercial bank, has recently pledged to set a roadmap and timetable for the gradual phase out of coal finance abroad.

Chinese ministries are also issuing soft guidelines to steer companies away from coal and to other low carbon projects. As a result, 2021 has registered no notable overseas coal projects supported by China. Many are hoping that these bottom up moves could amount to a top down announcement by Chinese leaders potentially a moratorium for BRI coal projects before the COP26 climate summit in November.

Mongabay: China also has a significant impact on global fisheries, but much of this activity occurs on the high seas, making it difficult to control or regulate. What levers would drive the Chinese fishing fleet toward less damaging practices?

Li Shuo: Much of the environmentally destructive fishery still exists because of the distorted economics. Our planet has long passed the point for industrial fishing to actually make money. The only reason that industrial fishing is still there is because countries subsidize their fleets heavily for them to go far in search of depleting resources. So for a problem that is intrinsically difficult to oversee (once the boats leave port, there is limited oversight), tackling the economics is the key. That is why the WTO negotiations to reduce harmful fishery subsidies must make progress this year.

Mongabay: What advice do you give to young people who are concerned about the trajectory of the planet?

Li Shuo: Get involved and take action. We are in a planetary emergency, anyone whos concerned about the environment cant sit on the sidelines any longer. Convince your peers about environmental activism, and convince your family, and think about how powerful it could be if an entire generation is defined by environmental issues.

The more I work on the environment, the more I believe that changing peoples minds is necessary but not enough. We have to change peoples hearts. Young people are probably best positioned to achieve that.

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