At the Rio Conference in 1992 one would have needed a truck to carry the state of the environment information presented there back home. Today information is more compact and easier to disseminate through the use of electronic media. In addition, efforts have been undertaken to standardize, streamline and popularize this information. Published in 1998 by Grid-Arendal, this publication presents straightforward guidelines on how to make your own State-of-the-Environment report.