I too think it is a great shame. However, that doesn't detract from the fact that powerful reward pathways have evolved alongside 'consumption' in humans. So, in a way, yes I would say that we have a primeval need for 'nice things'. However, I don't think people have an inherent need to harm the planet. We harm the planet because we have the aforementioned evolved urges and we are still coming to terms with the implications of them on a global scale.