I think they did a study in the Amazon, and found that actually the Amazon is strongest when defended by indigenous populations. In fact basically all around the world, all nature is stronger when protected by humans.

I think you could make the case that before capitalism, this would also have been the case in the west. There are clear links between the growth of capitalism and witch burning.

In most of the world its participate in capitalism or go to jail, not like you can just go live in a tent in the woods without being dragged out. (Unless you live somewhere like the US which still has really big woods.)