In all of the analysis and dissection in this article, the seemingly most telling fact is that the Belo Monte dam has been under construction for 20 years. Even more telling is that if it weren’t for environmental activists and protests 20 years ago the dam would already be built and would have wiped out two-thirds as much as it will when completed. While hydroelectric isn’t wonderful, but it’s better than the alternatives. It calls to mind Voltaire’s expression, ‘The perfect is the enemy of the good.” If Voltaire were alive today he would be proud of Brazils ability to govern practically, but still well within the realm of the good.  It is with this in mind that we will next look at who the people are behind Brazil’s environmental policies.