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I suspect it is a bad thing because it turns out we were pretty bad at it and we're going to experience a number of non-optimal situations as a consequence.

We are not unique in this sense. There are lots of animals that do the same: Beavers, Termites, Bees...

How is pollution, deforestation, increased ocean acidity and reduced biodiversity optimal conditions? maybe the consequences still seem low now but as these increase in the future you will better see the proportion of the disaster but then it will be too late.

This is why a lot of modern research is focused on geoengineering and repairing the environment. Iron seeding to counter global warming, etc.

We even protect wild animals because we want to see the environment where animals thrive for our own pleasure.

This seems similar to saying to a drowning person, "I don't see how water is a bad thing."

No, it isn't.