As the Seattle meeting demonstrated, this transition toward modernity disturbs many people, especially deep greens. He challenged the assertion that greater prosperity leads to environmental improvement. The industrial revolution left London choking and buried beneath waste. In the short run, he is often correct. Over the long term, however, his argument is both misanthropic and factually wrong.
Modernization encourages international trade and trade fosters wealth.
Even leaders of Greenpeace are seduced by the benefits of modernization and the luxury it offers. Here's an ironic example. I travel enough to earn free upgrades to first class, a clear benefit when crossing the country. On a trip from New York to Seattle I was seated in 3B. While I read The Economist, the fellow next to me was studying computer generated nautical material, hardly exceptional when traveling to a major seaport. I inquired of his profession and learned he was a ship's captain.