Here's where you may have seen Sentient in December 🧵

Plant-based meats and veganism had notable market and cultural success for over a decade, until 2025, when meat gained renewed attention, buoyed by influencer and political messaging and industry-backed campaigns and research.

Forests are also being systematically destroyed by the agriculture industry, and this rampant deforestation imperils the lives of plants, animals and humans alike.

Vegan pet food is gaining human and animal fans alike, as people look to reduce their household’s environmental impact and enhance their pets’ health. Michael J. Cohen reports for @washingtonpost.com:

Since the rise in popularity of plant-based meat alternatives, the meat industry has actively campaigned to undermine them, portraying these products as unhealthy and unnatural.

A study in mice finds avian flu shares trait with the viruses behind some of the worst pandemics, but more research in humans is needed. Sophie Kevany reports:

It’s your support that has made us into a formidable force in the media space. Together, we are changing the conversation and making sure that factory farming is treated like the extractive, destructive industry it is.

“Pitting the two [diets] against one another creates this nice conflict that engages the public,” Rebecca Gregson, a social psychologist who researches plant-forward eating, tells Sentient.

Most buyers sourcing squid from vessels accused of crew abuse and deaths are based in North America — nearly half in the U.S. and one-third in Canada.

Anaerobic digesters now stretch across the U.S. to supply California’s LCFS market, raising environmental concerns beyond state lines.

The transition to cage-free systems marks a significant improvement to their welfare. But is it enough?

In La Paz County, like 80% of Arizona, there are few restrictions on groundwater use. Residents fear that without change, the area will become unlivable.

Food and agriculture contribute one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions – second only to the burning of fossil fuels. And yet the vast majority of media coverage of the climate crisis overlooks this critical sector.

The water pollution regulations were issued five years ago. Why are they only being enforced now?

Combining eating more plants with collective action — like getting hospitals and schools to serve more plant-based dishes — can make your individual climate action far more effective.

By utilizing intercompany loans and dividends, and a network of shell companies based in Luxembourg, JBS has been able to dodge paying taxes where it conducts business.

A look at how overconsumption affects the environment and global health makes it abundantly clear that if we want to continue living on planet Earth, we need to make some serious changes, and fast. Seth Millstein explains:

Our work now reaches millions of readers and listeners, from policymakers in Washington to Iowa residents on the front lines of factory farm pollution. Here's how Sentient is changing the media narrative: buff.ly/vwpgeqp

Some animal advocates tell Sentient that they believe highlighting cost-cutting could work for farm animal welfare too, though not everyone agrees.

Why does this obsession with massive amounts of protein persist? And what impact is it having on our culture, health and planet?

In just a few years, Sentient has grown from a small newsroom into a trusted media organization, cited and republished by The Guardian, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and others. Thank you for helping us build a more transparent and informed public conversation.

A growing body of evidence links antibiotic overuse in meat production to infections in humans.

Eulogies for veganism tend to downplay this critical point: taking on the meat industry — a monster machine with unparalleled lobbying and marketing resources — was never a fair fight. @jesslsr.bsky.social reports:

Sentient’s journalism is being cited, republished and read more widely than ever before — bringing the realities of factory farming into mainstream conversations about food, climate and public health. As 2025 comes to an end, here are some of our reporters' favorite stories 🧵

Researchers tested over 100,000 variations across 11 different diet types to identify which combinations meet nutritional needs while staying within what are called “planetary boundaries.”

The agricultural industry is responsible for 70 percent of freshwater withdrawals globally, intensifying water scarcity and fueling wildfire risks.

State troopers cited concerns about animal rights activists as justification for blocking journalists from livestock crash sites.

Reporting on one of the most undercovered news issues of our time, factory farming, means we are constantly uncovering new and surprising details in our work.

Across the country, residents are organizing to oppose the construction and expansion of factory farms in their communities. Sentient reporters are telling the stories of this nascent movement, and mapping the coverage to illustrate how momentum is growing on a national scale 🧵

As ICE detention numbers creep upward, some advocates are worried that detainees could be compelled to work to fill gaps in the workforce of some of the most dangerous jobs in the country, including on factory farms and in slaughterhouses. buff.ly/ogK5Zgj

Sentient reporters, editors and staff give you some of our favorite stories of the past year.

As he campaigned against Kamala Harris, Trump said he would “defeat inflation.” Egg prices have decreased, but beef is doing the opposite. @skychadde.bsky.social reports for @investigatemidwest.bsky.social:

Research suggests that age and structural support can shape how people adopt and maintain reduced-meat eating patterns.

Going into 2026, political and influencer messaging could continue framing meat as more natural and beneficial, despite climate and public health concerns. @jesslsr.bsky.social reports:

Sentient is the only non-profit, nonpartisan news outlet that’s solely dedicated to the factory farm beat. Donate today to support the kind of journalism you won’t find anywhere else ➡️ buff.ly/D42IhsR

The link between masculinity and meat has long shaped men’s identities. Could redefining these norms help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

If you’re avoiding tofu and soy milk, you’re still probably eating more soy than you think.

Many people don’t realize that food waste reduction is a crucial and often overlooked climate strategy. But it’s a missed opportunity, especially since wasting food is widely seen as wrong 🧵

Getting restaurants to serve more plant-based food can have big climate impacts.

The majority of deforested land is used for animal agriculture, either directly or indirectly, and the beef industry is the single biggest driver of deforestation. Seth Millstein explains:

Sentient’s journalism is being cited, republished and read more widely than ever before — bringing the realities of factory farming into mainstream conversations about food, climate and public health. As the year comes to an end, our editors share their favorite stories of 2025 🧵

A growing body of evidence links antibiotic overuse in meat production to infections in humans.

“We need to create sociocultural conditions that make it easier for people to adopt more alternative eating practices,” says Lauren Camilleri, instructor of psychology at Victoria University, “particularly for men: changing the culture, the dominant forms of masculinity.”

“The status of our location isn’t guaranteed, just like climate change now doesn’t guarantee you anything in terms of growing,” says Lupita Vazquez of Cultivate Abundance. “When we share the responsibility and spread it out, then there’s an infusion of hope.”

From plant-based eggnog to recycled wrapping paper, here are some ways to curb your environmental impact.

Chris Jones, who currently serves as president of the environmental advocacy group Driftless Water Defenders, has long been a critic of industrial agribusiness in Iowa. Now, he’s considering running for Secretary of Agriculture in the state.

Researchers found emissions from beef, pork and chicken consumption exceeded the entire carbon footprint of Italy.

A new regulation would dramatically limit which waters are protected from pollution.

Microscopic fungi haven’t seemed like a scalable alternative to meat. CRISPR could change that.

Caged hens will be a thing of the past in England, the government has announced, as it launches a package of new animal welfare laws. Helena Horton reports for @theguardian.com: