Bill Overview
Title: CASC Act
Description: This bill provides statutory authority for the National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The centers must provide scientific expertise to managers of natural resources, cultural resources, and ecosystem services to inform decisions that aid adaptation to a changing climate and extreme weather events. The program shall include a National Climate Adaptation Science Center and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers. Among its activities, the National Center shall serve as the national office for the regional centers, develop and facilitate coordination among the regional centers, and conduct research on cross-regional and national science priorities. Regional centers shall develop research, education, training, and advisory service priorities regarding the impacts of climate trends and variability on natural and cultural resource management. The USGS shall establish an Advisory Committee on Climate and Natural Resource Sciences to identify and recommend priorities for ongoing research needs on such impacts in informing the research priorities of the National Center.
Sponsors: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Target Audience
Population: People affected by climate change and needing adaptation science
Estimated Size: 331000000
- The legislation is focused on aiding adaptation to climate change and extreme weather events which have global implications.
- Natural resource managers are a primary target as they need scientific support to manage ecosystems subject to environmental changes.
- Anyone relying on ecosystem services, like clean air and water, will feel indirect impacts through this legislation.
- Given the coordination between national and regional centers, the bill will have a wide reach, potentially impacting a vast number of individuals engaged directly or indirectly in ecosystem management.
Reasoning
- This policy primarily targets natural resource managers and individuals directly involved with ecosystem management across the U.S., offering scientific support in adapting to climate change.
- Indirectly, this policy impacts the broader U.S. population who depend on ecosystem services like clean water and air. This includes a diverse range of urban and rural residents.
- Considering the policy's budget allocation, opportunities and resources may be well-distributed across the regional centers, making engagement with a wide community possible but with varying levels of impact based on location and climate vulnerability.
- Due to the regional focus, people in areas more susceptible to climate change impacts, such as coastal or drought-prone areas, might experience more significant effects.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist (California)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The CASC Act could greatly support my work by providing much-needed data on sea-level rise impacts.
- I see the policy as a critical step in enhancing our adaptive measures.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Farmer (Florida)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having access to scientific advice would help me adapt my farming practices.
- I hope the regional centers provide accessible resources for small farmers like me.
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 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Museum Curator (New York)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The implications of this act on cultural preservation are underemphasized.
- I hope more research will focus on protecting cultural resources against climate threats.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Climate Activist (Texas)
Age: 34 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a strong nod to science-led climate strategy.
- Regional centers should involve activists in advisory roles to bridge community needs.
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 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 5 |
Agricultural Researcher (Iowa)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The National and Regional Centers could provide data critical for developing climate-resilient crops.
- I'm optimistic about improved collaboration with other research institutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 4 |
Retired (Oregon)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy brings more resources to mitigate wildfire risks.
- Information on climate trends would help me make better preparation decisions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
College Student (New Jersey)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy represents a future job and research opportunity for me.
- I look forward to potential internships with regional centers.
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 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Fishery Manager (Alaska)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help provide necessary data on fishery health.
- I hope regional centers will focus on specific local issues like ours.
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 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Retired Engineer (Louisiana)
Age: 70 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- More consistent information on storm predictions would be beneficial.
- I worry about the financial burden of adapting properties to climate change.
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 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Teacher (Colorado)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy emphasizes scientific literacy which aligns with my teaching goals.
- I hope for more educational resources and training opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $120000000, High: $180000000)
Year 2: $155000000 (Low: $125000000, High: $185000000)
Year 3: $160000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $190000000)
Year 5: $170000000 (Low: $140000000, High: $200000000)
Year 10: $190000000 (Low: $160000000, High: $220000000)
Year 100: $300000000 (Low: $250000000, High: $350000000)
Key Considerations
- The long-term benefits of climate adaptation research may outweigh initial costs, particularly in avoiding climate-related damages.
- Cross-regional research and training could propagate effective adaptation strategies nationwide.
- Ongoing collaboration across various US regions fosters unified and effective resource management plans.