Nature doesn't care.
We humans think we are somehow better ( in some cases even against other humans) simply because we can project our dominance over other lifeforms. But in the grand scheme of things, we are all the same carbon-based anomaly that has the apparent ability to act on it's own and the ability to recreate copies of themselves using atomic resources around it.
I really don't put any stock of all those "We are chosen to be higher" fallacy. Of course when it comes to survival, I can care less about other lifeforms because my DNA dictated that I value my own life and the lives of lifeforms that share similar DNA with me.
But to think we are "above" other lifeforms is hubris and ignorance. a single celled organism has the ability to wipe out humanity and it doesn't even care. Does it make them "higher" than us based on it's ability to annihilate us had nature gone it's course?
We as humans have the incentive to make this planet as livable as possible and that means valuing other lifeforms that maintains this habitat of ours. No, we are not "destroying" this planet, the planet doesn't care and life finds a way regardless. We're just making it impossible to sustain human lives.
at least that's what i think. Being an atheist, I am freed of many sorts of fallacies that other people have and to be honest l see life better.
Whatever floats your boat though.