I'm not sure it's broad ecological principal - humans are not simple animals - however I do think if we had "limitless" energy, we would all start flying around in personal aircraft, terraforming deserts, creating subsea buildings, and doing all sorts of wasteful things - until energy somehow became a problem again. In doing so, we would likely find other ways to disrupt our environment - just because energy is cheap and clean, doesn't mean using it has no effect.

Every time I buy a new laptop, I can't imagine how I'll fill up the drive, but I know I will.