These different views of what contributes to human well-being are in some ways complimentary. In other ways they conflict. Both perspectives agree that society is better off when production makes more efficient use of raw materials and energy. They also agree that reducing pollution is a good thing, although growth proponents are not so sure when pollution prevention cuts into profits. Sustainability and growth have different views of efficiency measures that eliminate jobs.
Growth is served because reduced costs enable more money to be made.
Sustainability, on the other hand, contends that people need opportunities to participate and that employing fewer people is a loss of efficiency. At issue here is whether the purpose of the economy is just to make money or if it is also supposed to provide people with opportunities to contribute to society. Proponents of growth argue that when more money is made, enough benefits arise to offset the dislocation of the people involved. The topic is debatable. When it comes to obsolescence, however, the two views are opposed.