The American Heart Association (AHA) has released updated dietary guidance encouraging Americans to eat more plant-based foods and reduce their reliance on animal products as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle.

The new scientific statement, 2026 Dietary Guidance to Improve Cardiovascular Health: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association, highlights growing evidence that diets rich in plant-based foods can significantly improve cardiovascular health outcomes.

As conversations around climate change continue to grow, many people are reevaluating the impact of their daily choices, from transportation to fashion to the food they eat. Increasingly, that conversation also includes what we feed our companion animals.

A recent article published by Ohio Animal Foundation, explored the rise of sustainable pet food options, highlighting alternatives like insect-based proteins, responsibly sourced fish, regional ingredients, and upcycled food products. The article sparked an important conversation about how the products we purchase for our pets can also impact the environment, agriculture systems, and animal welfare on a larger scale.

In a shocking move that threatens farmers’ access to vital resources, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has been sued for scrubbing its website of critical information related to climate change and conservation. Earthjustice and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed the lawsuit on behalf of the Northeast Organic Farming Association of New York (NOFA-NY), the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), and the Environmental Working Group (EWG).