The Price of Progress?

Developing countries are trying to build their economies and societies to offer a better standard of living for their citizens. However, progress comes at a price and tough choices need to be made. Ethiopia is currently finishing a hydroelectric dam project that will meet the energy needs for the development of the country. However, by seeing the BBC reports not everyone is in agreement. It is difficult to judge development projects in other parts of the world based on our perception of the impact. We don't know what it's like to live without electricity. It does raise an interesting point. If we think these projects are not the best way for countries to develop why are we not changing our development pattern? If what we have done is wrong why don't we redevelop following a better model? From an environmental perspective, our policies in this current economic "crisis" are not really doing anything different. It's tax code changes, bailouts and making business as usual easier rather than fundamental change. I don't have a complete alternative system but looking at what we have done and what we are doing what we are doing is not changing.