Others, including some Christians, suppose that the only purpose of the non-human world is to serve humanity. Therefore, they conclude, we can ravage and destroy species and ecological systems at will. A livable environment cannot survive another century of such thinking. At the other extreme are those who reject any distinction between monkeys, moles, and people, denouncing any claim to superior status for people as speciesism. If that is correct, then civilization itself becomes impossible.
Biblical faith offers another perspective.
The Bible teaches both that the non-human creation has worth and significance quite apart from its usefulness to humanity and also that persons alone are created in God's image and called to be stewards of God's good garden. Anyone who thinks God created the non-human world merely for the benefit of persons has not read the Bible carefully. Knowing that they all give joy to their Creator, Christians will treasure and protect every species. If one abandons that truth, the whole project of civilization crumbles. We are to serve and watch lovingly over God's good garden, not rape it.