<p> Voices from many disciplines agree that the time has come to radically address the profound alienation between modern humans and the natural world. The predominant worldview in most modern western societies engenders and encourages a false sense of disconnection between people and nature leading to epidemic ecological destruction, personal ill health, and social injustice amidst large segments of the world's population. The thesis looks to education as a means to restore and re-story the contemporary relationship between humans and nature. In search of the essential components of an education that can elicit humankind's innate tendency towards connection and relationship with self, others, and the natural world, this "education for our times" looks to foster the holistic development of individuals and communities capable of responding to today's complex world. Drawing on literature, case study material, and personal experience, the thesis presents a concept of "relational education," and explores some of the possibilities and limitations therein. The findings illuminate four foundational components of relational education: Connection to nature, promotion of healthy, holistic development, community context, and fostering an innate love of learning.</p>

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On April 20, 2010, an explosion on the offshore drilling platform Deepwater Horizon located in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in the largest oil spill in U.S. history. The subsequent use of massive amounts of chemical dispersants near the Gulf floor, an untested method, led to great controversy regarding the regulation, use, and toxicity of dispersants of the COREXIT family of products, as well as of dispersants in general. This study compares dispersant (COREXIT brand products in particular) regulation and use in the United States, Norway and the United Kingdom; the latter two countries are among the largest oil producers in the European Union. This study also applies Kingdons conceptual model of public policy development as a convergence of three independent streams in an attempt to gauge the outlook for increased regulation in the United States regarding COREXIT dispersants based on patterns of federal research funding, possible policy tool options, the existence of political will, and the perspective of the dispersant industry. The study found that with the exception of toxicity testing and approval mechanisms, the United States, Norway and the United Kingdom differ little in dispersant regulation and use. When research funding was examined, it was found that while initial funding levels increased, this may not be sustainable in the long term and therefore not a reliable indicator of the likelihood of policy change in the U.S.

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