Red Mars is the story of human colonization of Mars in the latter half of the 21st century. One hundred colonists form the seed of a society that grows and flourishes in tandem with Earth's total consumption by transnational corporations and subsequent collapse into civil war over dwindling resources. Debate erupts among the colonists as to whether to leave Mars "red" or Terraform it, rendering it "green" and more Earth-like. Eventually the transnational corporations seize power and crush the colonists, driving survivors into hiding under the polar cap.