During the last few years there has been a growing concern with the environment in the advanced countries of the world. This concern has provided ammunition for those who have questioned the desirability of further economic growth in these countries and even the feasibility or desirability of economic growth in the less developed countries. Doubts as to the wisdom of economic growth have been expressed from time to time over the ages. John Stuart Mill, writing in 1848, stated that " It is only in the backward countries of the world that increased production is still an important object; in those most advanced, what is economically needed is a better distribution 'V In this paper we shall consider some of the alleged costs of economic growth and development.