Through a greater awareness of ecological principles and application of these principles to our natural environment, humans can help assure there will be a suitable environment for succeeding generations of life on our planet.

Individuals in our societies will always have to make decisions on proposals involving the introduction of new technologies.

Individuals in these societies need to make decisions which will assess the risks, benefits, trade-offs, and costs of these new technologies.

The economic rewards of these technologies must be properly balanced with any adverse consequences these new technologies may have on the environment.

It may be impossible to completely assess the consequences of introducing a new technology, but critical questions in reference to its introduction must be asked.

???While the overall impact of humans on the planet's ecosystems have been negative, humans have done many things to improve the overall quality for living things in ecosystems we have damaged or destroyed???

-Activities having possible adverse effects on the environment in New York State are subject to review by SEQR (State Environmental Quality Review Act).

Some other ways in which humans have attempted to minimize negative impacts or improve the ecosystems we are all a part of are listed which follows:

Some Positive Influences of Humans on the Ecosystem:
* Sustaining endangered species by using habitat protection methods such as wildlife refuges and national parks.
* Passing wildlife management laws, such as game laws and catch restrictions.
* Adding lime to Adirondack lakes in an effort to neutralize their
acid pollution so the original living things in these lakes can be reintroduced.
* Design new products which meet basic needs without generating pollution.
* Inspection of all materials before entering the country to prevent pest introduction.
* Increased use of biodegradable packaging materials which will recycle themselves quickly to the environment.
* Use fuels which contain less pollutants, such as low sulfur coal and oil.
* Remove pollutants by using such devices as afterburners or catalytic converters before they enter the air.