---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Is wellbeing only economic growth? Only…"
description: "\"Is wellbeing only economic growth? Only salaries? Or is wellbeing also being able to breathe clean air and drink clean water?\" — Frans Timmermans"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/frans-timmermans-9984_clean-air_is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-s_1591106.jpg"
---

#  Is wellbeing only economic growth? Only salaries? Or is…

![“Is wellbeing only economic growth? Only salaries? Or is wellbeing also being able to breathe clean air and drink clean water?” quote by Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/frans-timmermans-9984_clean-air_is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-s_1591106.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/frans-timmermans-9984_clean-air_is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-s_1591106.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/frans-timmermans-9984_clean-air_is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-s_1591106.jpg)

> “Is wellbeing only economic growth? Only salaries? Or is wellbeing also being able to breathe clean air and drink clean water?”

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Wellbeing encompasses health, environment, and quality of life, not just economic metrics.

**In simple terms:** Wellbeing is more than money.

Key Takeaway

Consider health and environment in policy.

Themes

wellbeing environment policy quality of life

Mood

concerned thoughtful

Type

ethical philosophical

When to use this quote

- urban planning
- corporate social responsibility
- personal lifestyle choices

Key Concepts

sustainable development human rights public health

Questions to Reflect On

- How can societies measure wellbeing beyond GDP?
- What policies improve environmental health?

A Different Perspective

Economic growth alone cannot guarantee health or clean resources.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Clean air](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clean-air/) [Clean water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clean-water/) [Climate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/climate/) [Drink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drink/) [Economic growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic-growth/) [Growth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growth/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Only](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/only/) [Salaries Wellbeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salaries-wellbeing-6030727/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) [Wellbeing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellbeing/) [Wellbeing Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellbeing-able-6030728/) [Wellbeing Economic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wellbeing-economic-6030726/)

## Related quotes

> [Why worry about minor little details like clean air, clean water, safe ports and the safety net when Jesus is going to give the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arianna-huffington/why-worry-about-minor-little-details-like-clean-air-clean-water-safe/)

[Arianna Huffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arianna-huffington/)

> [“You will know if you are too acidic if you get sick often, get urinary tract infections, suffer from headaches, and have bad breath…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalia-rose/you-will-know-if-you-are-too-acidic-if-you-get-sick-often-get-urinary/)

[Natalia Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalia-rose/)

> [I want clean water and clean air and conservation... that's not what extreme environmentalists are all about. For them, it is a religion. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ailes/i-want-clean-water-and-clean-air-and-conservation-that-s-not-what/)

[Roger Ailes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ailes/)

> [“In my world, you don’t get to call yourself “pro-life” and be against common-sense gun control — like banning public access to the kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-l-friedman/in-my-world-you-don-t-get-to-call-yourself-pro-life-and-be-against/)

[Thomas L. Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-l-friedman/)

> [I think people really understand that clean air and clean water and not having factories dumping their emissions into the atmosphere and into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheldon-whitehouse/i-think-people-really-understand-that-clean-air-and-clean-water-and/)

[Sheldon Whitehouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheldon-whitehouse/)

> [At the end of the day, no amount of investing, no amount of clean electrons, no amount of energy efficiency will save the natural…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/at-the-end-of-the-day-no-amount-of-investing-no-amount-of-clean/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Environmentalism is not an upper-income issue, it's not a white issue, it's not a black issue, it's not a South or a North or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/environmentalism-is-not-an-upper-income-issue-it-s-not-a-white-issue/)

[Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/)

> [Trump is a very common-sense-oriented guy and basically, what he said is if we reduce carbon emissions, the air is going to get cleaner.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/trump-is-a-very-common-sense-oriented-guy-and-basically-what-he-said/)

[Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/)

> [Clean air, clean water, open spaces - these should once again be the birthright of every American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/clean-air-clean-water-open-spaces-these-should-once-again-be-the/)

[Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/)

> [I couldn't help but be struck that this guy I had thought was the embodiment of everything wrong with American politics, a lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-shearer/i-couldn-t-help-but-be-struck-that-this-guy-i-had-thought-was-the/)

[Harry Shearer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-shearer/)

> [The access to clean air and clean water is a basic right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-won-soon/the-access-to-clean-air-and-clean-water-is-a-basic-right/)

[Park Won-soon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-won-soon/)

> [Self-centeredness will bring on the destruction of our world. National pride separates people. All people need the same thing. When you really get down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/self-centeredness-will-bring-on-the-destruction-of-our-world-national/)

[Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/)

> [If you're asking me do we want clean air and clean water? Yes. Do we want a safer climate for future generations of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/if-you-re-asking-me-do-we-want-clean-air-and-clean-water-yes-do-we/)

[Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/)

> [America is a global leader on clean air progress and carbon dioxide reductions, and we are the envy of the world when it comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-r-wheeler/america-is-a-global-leader-on-clean-air-progress-and-carbon-dioxide/)

[Andrew R. Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-r-wheeler/)

> ['I haven't used the veto pen very often since I've been in office,' Obama told NPR. 'Now, I suspect there are going to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/byron-york/i-haven-t-used-the-veto-pen-very-often-since-i-ve-been-in-office/)

[Byron York](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/byron-york/)

## More by Frans Timmermans

> [The argument that won the Brexit campaign is the one that said take back control... which is another way of saying we want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/the-argument-that-won-the-brexit-campaign-is-the-one-that-said-take/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [If nationalism makes us poor, weak, and morally insecure, how can it claim to be patriotic? I maintain that nationalists are unpatriotic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/if-nationalism-makes-us-poor-weak-and-morally-insecure-how-can-it/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [The Netherlands believes in a vigorous Europe with a commission that is independent and robust.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/the-netherlands-believes-in-a-vigorous-europe-with-a-commission-that/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [Protectionism has never been an answer, will never be an answer. We need trade. We need trade agreements worldwide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/protectionism-has-never-been-an-answer-will-never-be-an-answer-we/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [Let's be clear: a nationalist is not a patriot.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/let-s-be-clear-a-nationalist-is-not-a-patriot/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [It is a duty for any government to uphold the rule of law, and this sometimes requires the proportionate use of force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/it-is-a-duty-for-any-government-to-uphold-the-rule-of-law-and-this/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [Since when is politics consistent?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/since-when-is-politics-consistent/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [This is the game of those who deny climate change or who deny the need for sustainability. They say, 'They are going to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/this-is-the-game-of-those-who-deny-climate-change-or-who-deny-the/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [How many millions of straws do we use every day across Europe? I would have people not use plastic straws any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/how-many-millions-of-straws-do-we-use-every-day-across-europe-i-would/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [What is the issue that has brought the European Union to the brink? The issue of migration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/what-is-the-issue-that-has-brought-the-european-union-to-the-brink/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [For all its shortcomings, European co-operation and integration has created an understanding of shared destiny. We no longer point guns at each other; we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/for-all-its-shortcomings-european-co-operation-and-integration-has/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [I want Europe to go forward, not backward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/i-want-europe-to-go-forward-not-backward/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [Nationalism makes us weak because its eternal seeking of enemies, its disdain of others, its need to feel superior makes cooperation with other nations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/nationalism-makes-us-weak-because-its-eternal-seeking-of-enemies-its/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [I think we have a political and moral duty to do everything within our power to maintain the Good Friday Agreement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/i-think-we-have-a-political-and-moral-duty-to-do-everything-within/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

> [Plastic waste is undeniably a big issue, and Europeans need to act together to tackle this problem because plastic waste ends up in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/plastic-waste-is-undeniably-a-big-issue-and-europeans-need-to-act/)

[Frans Timmermans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

[Explore all 68 Frans Timmermans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/)

## More Clean air quotes

> [“We must have clean air and water, and beautiful natural foods for everyone, everywhere.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/we-must-have-clean-air-and-water-and-beautiful-natural-foods-for/)

[Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/)

> [There is no domestic issue more important to America in the long run than the conservation and proper use of our natural resources, including…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-nelson/there-is-no-domestic-issue-more-important-to-america-in-the-long-run/)

[Gaylord Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-nelson/)

> [“We've got to pause and ask ourselves: How much clean air do we need? -Lee Iacocca, former chairman, Ford Motor Company”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-d-price/we-ve-got-to-pause-and-ask-ourselves-how-much-clean-air-do-we-need/)

[Steven D. Price](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-d-price/)

> [“I'm starting to realize that being born into this social world is a little like being born into clean air. You take it in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randa-abdel-fattah/i-m-starting-to-realize-that-being-born-into-this-social-world-is-a/)

[Randa Abdel-Fattah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randa-abdel-fattah/)

> [You go into a community and they will vote 80 percent to 20 percent in favor of a tougher Clean Air Act, but if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ruckelshaus/you-go-into-a-community-and-they-will-vote-80-percent-to-20-percent/)

[William Ruckelshaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ruckelshaus/)

> [I am an environmentalist. ... I am for clean air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-am-an-environmentalist-i-am-for-clean-air/)

[Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/)

> [This is a truth that should be repeated like a mantra: to have any chance of a ful - filling life, we require not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-burnside/this-is-a-truth-that-should-be-repeated-like-a-mantra-to-have-any/)

[John Burnside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-burnside/)

> [Why worry about minor little details like clean air, clean water, safe ports and the safety net when Jesus is going to give the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arianna-huffington/why-worry-about-minor-little-details-like-clean-air-clean-water-safe/)

[Arianna Huffington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arianna-huffington/)

> [Tax reduction has an almost irresistible appeal to the politician, and it is no doubt also gratifying to the citizen. It means more dollars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-gardner/tax-reduction-has-an-almost-irresistible-appeal-to-the-politician-and/)

[John W. Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-gardner/)

> [Any first-generation technology will. But we are looking at carbon the same way we look at every pollutant under the Clean Air Act; we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-mccarthy/any-first-generation-technology-will-but-we-are-looking-at-carbon-the/)

[Gina McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-mccarthy/)

> [EPA's Affordable Clean Energy rule (ACE), would restore the states' proper role under the Clean Air Act and our system of federalism. Our plan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-r-wheeler/epa-s-affordable-clean-energy-rule-ace-would-restore-the-states/)

[Andrew R. Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-r-wheeler/)

> [Our work seeks to focus attention on the necessity of developing security for the global village, meeting its need for clean air, water, food…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalie-bertell/our-work-seeks-to-focus-attention-on-the-necessity-of-developing/)

[Rosalie Bertell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalie-bertell/)

> [America is a global leader on clean air progress and carbon dioxide reductions, and we are the envy of the world when it comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-r-wheeler/america-is-a-global-leader-on-clean-air-progress-and-carbon-dioxide/)

[Andrew R. Wheeler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-r-wheeler/)

> [If you're asking me do we want clean air and clean water? Yes. Do we want a safer climate for future generations of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-scaramucci/if-you-re-asking-me-do-we-want-clean-air-and-clean-water-yes-do-we/)

[Anthony Scaramucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-scaramucci/)

> [Self-centeredness will bring on the destruction of our world. National pride separates people. All people need the same thing. When you really get down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacque-fresco/self-centeredness-will-bring-on-the-destruction-of-our-world-national/)

[Jacque Fresco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacque-fresco/)

[Browse all 159 Clean air quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clean-air/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Is wellbeing only economic growth? Only salaries? Or is wellbeing also being able to breathe clean air and drink clean water?",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Frans Timmermans"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-salaries-or-is-wellbeing-also/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Clean air"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-salaries-or-is-wellbeing-also/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/frans-timmermans-9984_clean-air_is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-s_1591106.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/frans-timmermans-9984_clean-air_is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-s_1591106.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a09/frans-timmermans-9984_clean-air_is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-s_1591106.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Is wellbeing only economic growth? Only salaries? Or is wellbeing also being able to breathe clean air and…” — Frans Timmermans",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Frans Timmermans",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frans-timmermans/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Is wellbeing only economic growth? Only...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-salaries-or-is-wellbeing-also/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frans-timmermans/is-wellbeing-only-economic-growth-only-salaries-or-is-wellbeing-also/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```