This collection of 13 environmental stories from Central Asia was compiled in the wake of the 5th Environment for Europe conference in Kyiv in May 2003, and presented there. We had realized that official state-of-the-environment reports, indicators and even glossier – mainly western – journalistic products are unable to transmit real sentiments, fears and frustrations of people ‘on the ground’. Thus we hoped that these stories by Central Asian journalists, officials and environmental activists would provide enjoyable reading and food for thought.