ABSTRACT
This chapter maps the gradations to a big picture policy action framework. The maintaining options perpetual obligation is an outlier because the more extreme components of the action framework are contradictory in spirit to meeting this perpetual obligation. The chapter presents a table that lists metrics for determining to what extent each of the perpetual obligations are being met. The potential collapse of the global energy sector could call into question the ability of current generations to meet several perpetual obligations, including the prevention of human extinction and maintenance of options obligations. The federal government does not dictate local land use planning decisions, so there is always a regulatory valley between energy and environmental policy making in the United States. The gap needs to be overcome if fully integrated goals and actions that can all effectively contribute to meeting perpetual obligations.
