WASHINGTON — From new vehicle fuel standards and higher renewable energy targets to controversial plans to limit greenhouse gas emissions on coal-fired power plants, the Obama administration — in its words — has been “leading global efforts to address the threat of climate change.”

Those sweeping efforts, however, have done nothing so far to save a small, dwindling, treasured pack of gray wolves on a remote Michigan island, presumably due federal protection as a threatened species and guaranteed sanctuary in a national park, but still facing short-term extinction largely because of a warmer climate that prevents the formation of natural ice bridges that once allowed mainland wolves to travel to the island and kept the population healthy.

Over the past few years, varied proposals have been floated and considered for saving the Isle Royale wolves: from taking no action and letting nature decide, to adding wolves to prevent inbreeding that can produce unhealthy pups, or culling a burgeoning moose herd — growing because of the steep drop in predator wolves — without adding wolves.

Wary of setting a precedent and aware of the threat posed by litigious wilderness groups urging a hands-off approach, the National Park Service this summer launched a $250,000 study to help decide the future of the island’s three remaining wolves. If all goes as planned, it could be done by late 2017.