Observations on the nature and culture of environmental history / J.R. McNeill -- Environmental approach to prehistoric studies / Olena V. Smyntyna -- Problematic nature of nature / Kristin Asdal -- Does nature always matter? / Ellen Stroud -- Nature and technology in history / Theodore R. Schatzki -- Spaces of consumption in environmental history / Matthew W. Klingle -- Ultimate "other" / Aaron Sachs