Bill Overview
Title: Global Amphibian Protection Act of 2021
Description: This bill establishes a Highly Endangered Amphibian Species Conservation Fund and requires the Department of the Interior to use the fund to carry out a grant program for the conservation of highly endangered amphibian species. Highly endangered amphibian species means any amphibian species categorized on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species as endangered, critically endangered, or extinct in the wild. The term also means any other amphibian species categorized on such list as data deficient or under a threat category lower than endangered if Interior determines that (1) the most recent IUCN Red List assessment indicates that the population is decreasing, or (2) such species is facing new or emerging threats. The bill establishes the fund as a separate account in the Multinational Species Conservation Fund.
Sponsors: Rep. Jeffries, Hakeem S. [D-NY-8]
Target Audience
Population: People globally who value or are dependent on biodiversity and ecosystem services related to amphibians
Estimated Size: 3000000
- The bill primarily addresses the conservation of highly endangered amphibian species globally.
- Conservation efforts are typically aimed at preventing the extinction of species and preserving biodiversity.
- People involved in scientific research, conservation, and related fields will be directly impacted by the funding and resources made available by the bill.
- Communities and economies that rely on ecological services provided by amphibians could also be indirectly impacted.
- Amphibians are an important component of the food web and contribute to pest control, affecting agriculture and public health.
- The grant program could stimulate employment and research opportunities in conservation-focused roles globally.
Reasoning
- The policy primarily impacts professionals in conservation and related fields, but indirect effects extend to broader ecosystems and communities benefiting from amphibian-related services.
- Due to the focus on endangered amphibians, impacts are generally more significant in regions with higher biodiversity.
- The US hosts several at-risk amphibian species, which suggests domestic contributions to conservation efforts will be meaningful.
- Most Americans won't perceive immediate effects, as changes in biodiversity and ecosystem services are gradual.
- Jobs in conservation, research, and scientific studies may experience a marginal increase.
- Areas experiencing ecological changes, such as those with agricultural dependencies, might observe incidental benefits over time.
Simulated Interviews
Herpetologist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe this policy is crucial for our work. It directly supports conservation research which is underfunded.
- Protecting amphibians helps us keep ecological balances, especially given climate change impacts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
Environmental Policy Analyst (Gainesville, FL)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This Act provides much needed funding to programs vital for species survival.
- It's a wake-up call for broader biodiversity issues, definitely supportive of this initiative.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Software Developer (Austin, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think this policy is important, but I'm not deeply involved with it personally.
- I support biodiversity efforts, it's good to know something is being done.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Farmer (Miami, FL)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Amphibians are crucial for pest control on our farm.
- The policy seems ideal for ecological balance but I hope it's implemented effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired Biologist (Portland, OR)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act provides a new lifeline to preservation efforts.
- It brings essential attention and funding to a critical issue that's often overlooked.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 2 |
Teacher (New York, NY)
Age: 40 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm thrilled to see more focus on species conservation, it's something I teach my students.
- But the visible impact on education isn't immediate.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Marketing Executive (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a positive step for biodiversity, but my direct impact here is minimal.
- Good for companies focused on ecological responsibility, indirectly benefits our sector.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Outdoor Adventure Guide (Jackson, WY)
Age: 29 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I see firsthand the impact of biodiversity loss on wilderness tours.
- While I personally support this policy, its direct influence isn't huge.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired Engineer (Boston, MA)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Preserving amphibian species is critical to maintaining our ecosystems.
- I don't expect immediate changes but recognize the long-term benefits.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Graduate Student in Conservation Biology (Denver, CO)
Age: 25 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This funding is a turning point for my field of study.
- It could open up more opportunities for research and public engagement.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 2: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 5: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Key Considerations
- The survival of amphibians is critical for biodiversity, ecosystem function, and possibly human health due to their role in pest control.
- Evaluating the long-term success of such a conservation fund requires assessing both ecological outcomes and socio-economic benefits.
- The effectiveness of the fund management and the execution of projects will be essential to achieve conservation goals.