Bill Overview
Title: No Taxpayer Funding For CZARS Act
Description: This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for any activity of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.
Sponsors: Rep. Roy, Chip [R-TX-21]
Target Audience
Population: global human population
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The Special Presidential Envoy for Climate is a role focused on climate diplomacy and international environmental negotiations.
- Activities of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate likely involve travel, discussions with other nations, and participation in international climate agreements.
- The key groups affected by climate policies and international agreements include individuals affected by climate change, industries dealing with environmental regulations, and entities involved in sustainability initiatives.
- The global population will be impacted to the extent that climate change and international climate policy affect all countries.
- Countries other than the USA may be impacted due to a change in U.S. participation in international climate discussions if the U.S. does not fund the role of the envoy.
Reasoning
- The budget limit suggests that while the policy has a significant financial implication, it is a relatively small amount in terms of total federal spending, potentially limiting its direct impact on the broader U.S. population.
- The Special Presidential Envoy for Climate mainly operates at an international diplomatic level, which may not immediately or visibly impact the daily lives of the average American.
- Businesses and environmental organizations that are directly involved in climate policy and related industries, as well as those sensitive to environmental regulations, might feel more immediate effects from this cut in funding.
- Given the global nature of climate issues, the full impact of reduced U.S. involvement in international climate efforts might unfold more gradually over years, affecting global environmental strategies and consequently American citizens through indirect channels such as economic or policy shifts.
- The range of interviews will cover individuals who might notice changes due to increased/decreased prioritization of climate issues in their work or community, as well as those less directly impacted.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist (Seattle, WA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy may hinder our access to international climate data which is crucial for our research.
- Limited federal participation could slow down climate progress which affects our local projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 7 |
Policy Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The withdrawal of federal funds could undermine U.S. leadership in climate diplomacy.
- Our NGO needs robust international engagement to advance our mission.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 2 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 6 |
Software Engineer (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This might reduce innovation opportunities in U.S.-funded environmental tech projects.
- The tech industry needs ongoing support aligned with global climate initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 8 |
Retired (Houston, TX)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think reducing funding undermines U.S. potential to lead in reversing climate change.
- Personally, I feel less hopeful about future environmental efforts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Miami, FL)
Age: 38 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- International climate policy affects tourism heavily here.
- Federal disengagement from climate issues might harm local business prospects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 2 | 6 |
Mid-level Manager (Portland, OR)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could complicate efforts in sustainable logistics strategies.
- The policy might not immediately change things, but over time can shift industry dynamics.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 4 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 5 |
Professor (Boulder, CO)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The U.S. must stay engaged in global climate discussions.
- Cutting funds is out of step with necessary climate action and air quality goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 7 |
Union Worker (Chicago, IL)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding cuts lead to more uncertainty in future regulations.
- Could potentially ease job-related constraints or complicate transitions to new regulations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 6 |
Climate Activist (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 37 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Federal support is crucial to maintain and build momentum for climate action.
- Reducing U.S. participation could set a bad precedent for global agreements.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 5 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 4 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 3 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 3 | 8 |
Student (Detroit, MI)
Age: 26 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Any policy limiting climate science support might indirectly influence education funding.
- Limited government engagement in climate issues might affect career prospects long term.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 4 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 3: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Diplomatic and international relations impact due to reduced engagement in global climate talks.
- Immediate federal budget savings might be offset by long-term economic consequences in terms of trade and environmental policy alignment.