Negative value refers to a situation where the worth or utility of an item, action, or decision is less than zero. This can occur in various contexts, such as economics, where a product may cost more to produce than it can be sold for, resulting in a financial loss. In this case, the negative value reflects a deficit rather than a profit. In environmental discussions, negative value can also describe the harmful impact of certain activities, like pollution. For instance, the carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels can lead to health issues and climate change, creating costs that outweigh any short-term benefits, thus representing a negative value to society.