The US Senate has refused to ratify the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, possibly under the influence of the od-automobile industry. But a majority of US citizens favour its ratification. The findings of a survey conducted by the Center for the Study of Policy Attitudes, the Center for International and Security Studies and School of Public Affairs, University of Maryland, USA, show that while the Senate harps on 'meaningful participation' by developing countries, a majority in the US favours ratification even if developing countries do not cut emissions. A majority would accept an hike in energy costs of US $25 per month per household for cutting emissions. This raises a question: who does the Senate answers to, the public or the ofl-automobile lobby?