Convener: International Consortium of Environmental History Organizations (ICEHO)
Place: Guimarães, Portugal
Time: 8-12 July 2014
Participants: More than 500 presentations from scholars around the globe.

It is intended as a world meeting, though it has a close resemblance in both concept and participants with meetings of the American Society for Environmental History and the European Society for Environmental History. Most of the action is in parallel panel sessions that cluster around specific topics. The book exhibit was rather small this time. It’s a great opportunity to meet other environmental historians, though the size of the meeting is a bit overwhelming.

Mohan Munasinghe, a Nobel laureate by virtue of his involvement with the IPCC, gave a plenary address about “learning from history”. It was an interesting talk by a wise person, but when quizzed about his idea of learning from history, he talked about comparing case studies and the importance of securing equal parameters. With all due respect for Mr. Munasinghe and the merits of interdisciplinary research: we do a bit more than that!

On a personal note, my hotel reservation got lost, but staff kindly found a room in another hotel (quite an achievement in the busy summer season!). Please insert your own remark about Mediterranean organisation.

To Be Continued? The World Congress is held every five years. At least that is a plan – after only two events, one can hardly speak of an established routine. But with this meeting a big success (in a country that does not do well at the moment), we shall be optimistic!