When coupled with the lack of resources at low income levels, the pattern worldwide has been to grow first and clean up later. Experience that calls this approach into question is accumulating. For one thing, it is a costly strategy socially and ecologically, and might threaten the sustainability of growth itself. Furthermore, new institutional arrangements, technologies, production methods, and targeted investments are beginning to offer opportunities to address growth and environmental protection in ways that are good for government finances as well as for private business. The high costs of cleaning up later.
Ecological damage is often irreversible.
Cleaning up later is not an option when terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity has been lost because of habitat destruction. For example, pollution and destructive fishing techniques have damaged a large proportion of coral reefs in some areas. Environmental pollution causes considerable health costs, which are compounded when pollution control is postponed. Other evidence, even if less visible, is widely prevalent, such as the steady health losses to children and adults from air pollution. The cost is usually far less than the benefits to society of investing in pollution control.