In the past, there was relatively little concern about the effects of human environment. Forests were cut down, rivers were dammed, soil erosion was allowed to proceed unchecked, and wastes from mines and other industries were dumped or the land, into waterways, and into the air. Within the last 20 years or so, however there has been increasing recognition of the fact that the enbironment cannot be used thought lessly any longer. It is evident that human activities have damaged the environment and the damage may be dangerous and permaenent. In response to this awareness, human activities in many areas are now devoted to restoring environment. Rivers taht has been so polluted that they contained no fish have now been cleaned up. In some cities where the air was dangerously polluted, it is now somewhat cleaner.

Human ecology deals with the relationship between humans and the environment.