Not all economic activity is beneficial to society though. Economic activity generated by treating sick people from polluted air and/or water is a net negative

Not all economic activity is beneficial to society though. Economic activity generated by treating sick people from polluted air and/or water is a net negative to society; economic activity that feeds on despair (disasters, sickness, etc.) or 2nd/3rd order effects of deregulated industries is a net negative. Deregulation can cause an uptick in economic activity that has unforeseen negative consequences later down the line which might cost more for society to deal with, even though fixing it will generate even more economic activity.