Fish and plants can handle more pH change than was previously thought.
They need stable mineral levels (GH, KH, TDS).
As long as the pH stays within their tolerance range, it can vary and they are OK.
As an example, many fish do just fine when CO2 is added to the tank. CO2 can affect the pH, and the fish are just fine with this.
But if you move fish from one tank to another and there are different mineral levels (especially softer water) the fish have a hard time acclimating, and can die.