They provide an example where production and income growth may not be accompanied by a rise in overall well-being. Degraded environmental quality can result from and cause unsustainable development patterns. It can have substantial economic and social consequences, from health costs to reduced agricultural output, impaired ecosystem functions and a generally lower quality of life. They affect human health through air and water pollution, exposure to hazardous substances and noise, as well as through indirect effects from climate change, transformations in the water cycles, biodiversity loss and natural disasters that affect the health of ecosystems and damage the property and life of people. People also benefit from environmental services, such as access to clean water and nature, and their choices are influenced by environmental amenities.