As humans, products of nature, it is "natural" for us to learn. That is our evolutionary advantage. Some animals have claws, some have camoflauge. We have larger brains.
Is it beneficial to our environment to pollute? No. But there are animals and plants that "destroy" their own niches as well. If a winding tree vine grew unchecked, it would kill every tree in the forest.
The "problem" is that humans do not currently have a predator to keep us in check. Disease has tried its best but our brains have allowed us to adapt to that as well.
Now, as sentient creatures we are
aware of all of this. Unlike a winding vine that needs a predator to halt its progress, we are smart enough to do it
ourselves.