A study led by the Zoological Society of London has concluded that the species' classification should move from "vulnerable" to the more dire "endangered" state. The study proves that current conservation efforts are not enough to help sustain, let alone bolster cheetah populations. More efforts must be made to save this fascinating animal.

Independent data pulled from a combination of satellites, robotic floats, and ocean buoys has confirmed a 2015 study that disproved the "global warming hiatus." This confirmation bolsters the already sound argument that climate change is not slowing down, emphasizing our need to find clean-energy alternatives to fossil fuels.

The Chinese government has developed a plan to make all ivory trading in the country illegal by the end of 2017, closing a loophole in the current international ban on the practice. With elephant species across the world in grave danger of extinction, this decision by China is "a game changer" that will hopefully encourage other countries to enact their own bans.

According to a Reuters report, digital currency Bitcoin grew by 125 percent to a value above $1,000 in 2016, crossing that threshold for the first time since 2013. The Bitcoin market has been historically volatile due to large-scale thefts, a sign that more safeguards must be put in place before digital currency can ever become ubiquitous.