Author: Mike Soszynski

About The Author

Mike Soszynski

Mike Soszynski graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Rutgers University with a Masters in Public Policy in 2012 & 2015 respectively. He currently works for a community development nonprofit based in New York City and enjoys riding his bicycle, punk music, and baking. Mike also likes birds, eating doughnuts, and public land.

British Soldiers Are Protecting Elephants from Poachers Who Fund Terrorism

British Soldiers Are Protecting Elephants from Poachers Who Fund Terrorism

Posted by | Jul 25, 2017 |

In response to an S.O.S call from the nation of Gabon, the British Army has deployed 16 elite soldiers to fight terrorists and protect elephants. Gabon is believed to have the largest remaining population of forest elephants. But allies of terrorist groups Boko Haram and Al Shabaab are killing them for their tusks and then selling them on the black market to help fund extremist activities. There are fewer than 100,000 of this subspecies of elephants across Central Africa. In 2013, it was reported that between 50 and 100 forest elephants were being slaughtered daily. In the past ten years,...

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Native Americans are Suing the Government for Delisting Grizzly Bears as Endangered

Native Americans are Suing the Government for Delisting Grizzly Bears as Endangered

Posted by | Jul 17, 2017 |

Native Americans from seven U.S. states and Canada are suing the United States’ federal government over its recent decision to remove grizzly bears from the endangered and threatened species list. Their lawsuit alleges that the government failed to consult with Native American groups and that the delisting violates their religion. In June, U.S. Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke announced that grizzly bears would be removed from the Endangered Species List. He cited the bears’ population increasing from “as few as 136 bears in 1975 to an estimated 700 today.” There were once between 50,000 and 100,000 grizzly bears roaming...

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Poland is Cutting Down Europe’s Last Ancient Forest

Poland is Cutting Down Europe’s Last Ancient Forest

Posted by | Jul 16, 2017 |

Cutting down trees to save a forest? Poland is felling the last primeval forest in Europe. Since last year, they have increased logging threefold at Białowieża National Forest, a place known for its unique ecosystems and incredible biodiversity. Bark beetles are attacking the forest’s spruce trees and the Polish Ministry of the Environment claims that to the best way to save the forest is to cut down more trees. But according to scientists and environmentalists it’s a misguided strategy. The forest has had past outbreaks of bark beetle without logging prescribed as a remedy. It has been a self-sustaining and replenishing...

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Report: Elephants Are Forced into Deplorable Conditions Just So People Can Sit on Them

Report: Elephants Are Forced into Deplorable Conditions Just So People Can Sit on Them

Posted by | Jul 10, 2017 |

Riding an elephant looks fun, right? Sitting atop a giant pachyderm, trotting about —it’s a wholesome, harmless activity? A great way to commune with a member of another species? Wrong. Unless you derive pleasure from the suffering of others, riding an elephant should be considered distinctly un-fun. A new report adds to the already clear evidence that keeping elephants captive for tourism and rides is unethical. In the study, World Animal Protection (WAP) investigated conditions endured by elephants in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, India, Laos and Cambodia and found that over three quarters of elephants exploited as tourist attractions...

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One Man’s Battle to ‘Die with Dignity’ Headed for Britain’s High Court

One Man’s Battle to ‘Die with Dignity’ Headed for Britain’s High Court

Posted by | Jun 30, 2017 |

An English man with terminal motor neurone disease (MCD) is challenging his country’s blanket ban on assisted dying. Noel Conway, a 67-year-old retired lecturer, has an incurable condition that will cause his body to deteriorate until his breathing stops altogether or he becomes completely paralyzed. According to doctors, he only has months to live. But in England, like most US states, physician-assisted dying is illegal. Those with terminal and incurable illnesses who wish to avoid lingering, painful deaths must travel to foreign countries like Switzerland to access doctors and facilities that will aid them. But that might change this month;...

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