Abstract

Malmö in Copenhagen, Denmark and Sweden at the first session of the World Environmental History Conference and pre-doctoral student workshop brings together the current number of outstanding scholars in this field, so that global environmental history of the latest research results have been very good communication and discussion and effectively enhance the vision of young scholars and research capabilities. The conference demonstrated from the research point of view, the object of study of environmental history has been further expanded. Which the history of the marine environment and social life of the material is worth noting that metabolic studies two important areas. They receive attention and the development process description, the "environment" and the relationship between man and the environment to deepen understanding of the history of research will broaden the horizon of the environment. At the same time, environmental history in the theory and method levels have a new development. This is reflected in the environmental history of "narrative" and the historical characteristics of the stress field within or outside of the positive theory and application of analytical methods, but also in the new use of old historical data, and presentation on the pursuit of diversity. We believe that to understand and learn from the General Assembly based on the results, environmental historians in future studies may try a new research topic, comprehensive study of the different perspectives and achievements of social transformation will do more work. Many outstanding scholars and young PhD students attended the First World Congress of Environmental History and a pre-conference workshop of PhD students in Copenhagen, Denmark and Maim?, Sweden in August, 2009, which not only promoted the latest research of environmental history around the world, but also provided a good training opportunity for young students and scholars. Some new research fields in environment history have been developing rapidly such as marine environmental history and the material metabolism of social life which prove deeper understanding the relationships between the human beings and the environment. The Congress has also showed some new trends in theories and methods, such as emphasis of "narrative" as the core feature for environmental history, introduction and application of various theories and methods of history and other subjects, and adopting new interpretation of old materials and pursuing diverse presentation of environmental histories. The environmental historians may try to improve their work in the following aspects according to the review of the Congress: trying new themes and various research approaches, and contributing to the reform of contemporary society.