Bill Overview
Title: United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2022
Description: This bill establishes within the Department of State an Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs who shall represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to the Arctic, serve on the Arctic Council, and coordinate U.S. Arctic policies.
Sponsors: Rep. Peltola, Mary Sattler [D-AK-At Large]
Target Audience
Population: People impacted by Arctic policy decisions
Estimated Size: 70000
- The Arctic region is of strategic interest, impacting several countries and indigenous groups.
- Climate change and geopolitical shifts increase the Arctic's significance.
- International bodies like the Arctic Council deal with treaties, research, and environmental protections impacting many people globally.
- Individuals involved in Arctic research, governance, and residents in Arctic countries could be directly affected.
Reasoning
- The Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act is particularly significant for Alaska, as it is the only U.S. state directly within the Arctic Circle.
- Alaska's indigenous communities are stakeholders in Arctic policy due to ancestral land rights and environmental impacts.
- Science and environmental research communities across the U.S. are involved due to climate change and ecological concerns.
- Geopolitical shifts in the Arctic could affect national security, engaging defense personnel.
- While the policy's direct effect on daily life for most Americans is minimal, those in Alaska and involved in Arctic research or policy may see changes.
- Given the Arctic's growing geopolitical relevance, strategic U.S. policy coordination could have broad and long-term implications, albeit indirectly.
Simulated Interviews
Research Scientist (Anchorage, Alaska)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Increased focus on the Arctic is crucial given the environmental changes we are observing. It could facilitate more funding for important research.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Fisheries Manager (Nome, Alaska)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Representation in Arctic policy ensures our fisheries' needs are considered in international agreements.
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 |
Indigenous Leader (Fairbanks, Alaska)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having an Arctic Ambassador could give our people a stronger voice in important discussions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Policy Analyst (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy strengthens U.S. positions in Arctic geopolitics and climate negotiations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Environmental Activist (Brooklyn, New York)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I live far from the Arctic, the policy's focus on climate impacts is a positive shift for global environmental policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Military Strategist (Portland, Oregon)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A dedicated Arctic Ambassador aligns military strategic interests with diplomatic initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Retired (Juneau, Alaska)
Age: 65 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's important for us Alaskans to be included in what's happening globally in the Arctic. This policy helps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Student (Boulder, Colorado)
Age: 21 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's great to see my field of study getting more recognition at the policy level.
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 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Economist (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could open up new economic avenues through responsible development and trade routes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Tech Entrepreneur (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- A structured approach could create opportunities for innovative solutions to Arctic-specific challenges.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $7000000)
Year 3: $5100000 (Low: $4100000, High: $7200000)
Year 5: $5200000 (Low: $4200000, High: $7400000)
Year 10: $5500000 (Low: $4500000, High: $7900000)
Year 100: $10000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $12000000)
Key Considerations
- The Arctic's increasing strategic importance due to climate change, resource access, and military positioning.
- Implications for indigenous communities and environmental sustainability.
- The potential for international collaboration as well as conflict in the Arctic region, influencing global geopolitics.