A recent news article about the hippos at Hacienda Nápoles in Colombia, descendants of the original four brought over by Pablo Escobar in the 1980s

Hawaii is experiencing some of the most severe flooding in decades after a series of subtropical cyclones brought heavy, slow-moving storms to the islands. Torrential rains—reaching up to 30 inches in some areas—have submerged entire neighbourhoods, damaged hundreds of homes, and flooded farmlands, causing millions of dollars in losses. Forecasters warn that additional flash floods may hit in the coming days (Voiland 2026).

The Grindadráp (aka “The Grind”) is the hunting of long-finned pilot whales, and occasionally dolphins, carried out not by commercial industries but by local communities. Supporters describe it as tradition. Critics call it what it looks like: a coordinated killing of highly social marine animals (World Animal Protection 2025).

You have probably experienced it. You mention, in the most casual possible way, that you do not eat animal products. You are not lecturing anyone. You have not brought it up unprompted. Someone simply asked what you wanted to order. And yet, within moments, someone at the table is explaining why humans need protein, or telling you about their uncle's farm, or assuring you that they only buy "ethical" meat.

Tradition is one of the most powerful words in any debate about animal welfare. But being old does not make something right. Here is why that argument deserves more scrutiny than it usually gets.

Most of us consider ourselves animal lovers. So why do we extend compassion to some animals while putting others on our plates without a second thought? A pig and a dog playing. Picture this: a golden retriever plays fetch in the park, tail wagging, eyes full of trust. Now picture a pig solving a puzzle, a skill they have been shown to develop faster than dogs. Both animals feel pain, experience joy, form social bonds, and display remarkable intelligence. Yet one sleeps at th