The Quantum Theory of General Relativity at Low Energies

In quantum field theory there is now a well developed technique, effective field theory, which allows one to obtain low energy quantum predictions in “non-renormalizable” theories, using only the degrees of freedom and interactions appropriate for those energies. Whether or not general relativity is truly fundamental, at low energies it is automatically described as a quantum effective field theory and this allows a consistent framework for quantum gravity at ordinary energies. I briefly describe the nature and limits of the technique. gr-qc/9607039 Talk presented at Journees Relativistes 96, Ascona, Switzerland, May 1996, to be published in Helvetia Physica Acta.