Kenner said nothing. He just handed her his card.

"Institute for Risk Analysis," Ann read aloud. "That's a new one. I'll add it to the list of phony right-wing fronts."

Kenner said nothing.

"Because it's all all disinformation," Ann said. "The studies, the press releases, the flyers, websites, the organized campaigns, the big-money smears. Let me tell you, industry was disinformation," Ann said. "The studies, the press releases, the flyers, websites, the organized campaigns, the big-money smears. Let me tell you, industry was thrilled thrilled when the US didn't sign Kyoto." when the US didn't sign Kyoto."

Kenner rubbed his chin, and said nothing.

Ann said, "We're the world's largest polluter, and our government doesn't give a damn."

Kenner smiled blandly.

"So now the United States is an international pariah, isolated from the rest of the world and justifiably despised because we failed to sign the Kyoto Protocol to attack a global problem."

She continued to goad him in this way, and finally, it seemed, he had had enough. "Tell me about Kyoto, Ann," he said. "Why should we have signed it?"

"Why? Because we have a moral obligation to join the rest of the civilized world in reducing carbon emissions to below 1990 levels."

"What effect would that treaty have?"

"The whole world knows that. It would reduce global temperatures in the year 2100."

"By how much?"

"I don't know what you're driving at."

"Don't you? The answer is well known. The effect of Kyoto would be to reduce warming by .04 degrees Celsius in the year 2100. Four hundredths of a degree. Do you dispute that outcome?"

"I certainly do. Four what? Hundredths of a degree? That's ridiculous."

"So you don't believe that would be the effect of the Kyoto Protocol?"

"Well, maybe because the United States didn't sign it-"

"No, that would be the effect if we did did sign it. Four hundredths of a degree." sign it. Four hundredths of a degree."

"No," she said, shaking her head. "I don't believe that's true."

"The figure has been published a number of times in scientific journals. I can give you the references."*

Raising his glass, Bradley said to Ann, "This guy is real big on references."

"As opposed to rhetoric," Kenner said, nodding. "Yes. I am."

Bradley belched. "Four hundredths of a degree? In a hundred years? What a bunch of bullshit."

"One could say so."

"I just did," Bradley said.

"But Kyoto's a first step," Ann said, "that's the point. Because if you believe in the precautionary principle, as I do-"

"I didn't think the purpose of Kyoto was to take a first step," Kenner said. "I thought the purpose was to reduce global warming."

"Well, it is."

"Then why make a treaty that won't accomplish that? That won't, in effect, do anything at all?"

"It's a first step, as I said."

"Tell me: do you think it's possible possible to reduce carbon dioxide?" to reduce carbon dioxide?"

"Of course. There are a host of alternative energy sources just waiting to be adopted. Wind power, solar, waste, geothermal-"

"Tom Wigley and a panel of seventeen scientists and engineers from around the world made a careful study and concluded it is not possible. Their paper was published in Science. Science. They said there is no known technology capable of reducing carbon emissions, or even holding them to levels many times higher than today. They conclude that wind, solar, and even nuclear power will not be sufficient to solve the problem. They say totally new and undiscovered technology is required." They said there is no known technology capable of reducing carbon emissions, or even holding them to levels many times higher than today. They conclude that wind, solar, and even nuclear power will not be sufficient to solve the problem. They say totally new and undiscovered technology is required."*

"That's crazy," Ann said. "Amory Lovins laid it all out twenty years ago. Wind and solar, conservation, energy efficiency. There's no problem."

"Apparently there is. Lovins predicted that thirty-five percent of US power would come from alternative energy by the year 2000. The actual figure turned out to be six percent."

"Not enough subsidies."

"No country in the world produces thirty-five percent renewable energy, Ann."

"But countries like Japan do much better than we do."

Kenner said, "Japan is five percent renewable. Germany is five percent. England two percent."

"Denmark."

"Eight percent."

"Well," she said, "it just means we have more work to do."

"No question about that. Wind farms chop birds to pieces, so they might not be so popular. But solar panels would work. Silent, efficient..."

"Solar is great," she said.

"Yes," Kenner said. "And all we need is about twenty-seven thousand square kilometers of panels to do the job. Just cover the state of Massachusetts with solar panels and we'd be done. Of course by 2050 our energy needs will triple, so maybe New York would be a better choice."

"Or Texas. Nobody I know cares about Texas," Ann said.

"Well, there you are," Kenner said. "Cover ten percent of Texas, and you're in business. Although," he added, "Texans would probably prefer to cover Los Angeles first."

"You're making a joke."

"Not at all. Let's settle on Nevada. It's all desert anyway. But I'm curious to hear about your personal experience with alternative energy. What about you yourself, Ann? Have you adopted alternative sources?"

"Yes. I have solar heating for my swimming pool. The maid drives a hybrid."

"What do you drive?"

"Well, I need a bigger car for the kids."

"How big?"

"Well, I drive an SUV. Sometimes."

"What about your residence? You have solar panels for your electricity?"

"Well, I had consultants come to the house. Only, Jerry-my husband-says it's too expensive to install. But I'm working on him."

"And your appliances..."

"Every single one is Energystar. Every one."

"That's good. And how large is your family?"

"I have two boys. Seven and nine."

"Wonderful. How big is your house?"

"I don't know exactly."

"How many square feet?"

She hesitated.

"Ah hell, tell him, Ann," Bradley said. "She has a huge huge fucking house. Must be ten, fifteen thousand square feet. Absolutely fucking house. Must be ten, fifteen thousand square feet. Absolutely beautiful beautiful. And the grounds! Got to be an acre, acre and a half. Sprinklers going day and night. And such gorgeous landscaping-she has fund-raisers there all the time. Always wonderful events."

Kenner looked at her.

"Twelve thousand," Ann said. "Square feet."

"For four people?" Kenner said.

"Well, my mother-in-law lives with us, sometimes. And of course the maid in the back."

"And do you have a second home?" Kenner said.

"Shit, she's got two, two," Bradley said. "Got a fabulous fabulous place in Aspen, and a great house in Maine as well." place in Aspen, and a great house in Maine as well."

"That we inherited," Ann said. "My husband-"

"And that apartment in London," Bradley said, "is that yours or your husband's company or what?"

"The company."

Kenner said, "How about travel? You use private jets?"

"Well, I mean we don't own own one, but we catch rides, whatever. We go when people are going anyway. We fill the plane up. Which is a one, but we catch rides, whatever. We go when people are going anyway. We fill the plane up. Which is a good good thing." thing."

"Of course," Kenner said. "But I must admit I'm a little confused about the philosophy-"

"Hey," she said, suddenly angry. "I live in a milieu where I have to keep up a certain standard. It's necessary for my husband's business, and-anyway, where do you live?"

"I have an apartment in Cambridge."

"How big?"

"Nine hundred square feet. I do not own a car. I fly coach."

"I don't believe you," she said.

"I think you'd better," Bradley said. "This guy knows what he's-"

"Shut up, Ted," Ann said. "You're drunk."

"Not yet, I'm not," he said, looking wounded.

"I'm not judging you, Ann," Kenner said quietly. "I know you're a dedicated advocate. I'm just trying to figure out what your real position is on the environment."

"My position is human beings are heating the planet and poisoning the planet and we have a moral obligation to the biosphere-to all the plants and animals that are being destroyed, and to the unborn generations of human beings-to keep these catastrophic changes from taking place." She sat back, nodding her head.

"So our moral obligation is to others-other plants, animals, and other people."

"Exactly."

"We need to do what is in their interest?"

"What is in the interest of all of us."

"Conceivably their interest is not the same as ours. Conflict of interest is the usual case."

"Every creature has a right to live on the planet."

"Surely you don't believe that," Kenner said.

"I do. I'm not speciesist. Every living creature."

"Even the malaria parasite?"

"Well, it is is part of nature." part of nature."

"Then do you oppose the elimination of polio and smallpox? They were part of nature, too."

"Well, I would have to say it's part of the arrogant pattern of mankind, changing the world to suit his purposes. A testosterone-driven impulse, not shared by women-"