We're only about 200 years into such decision making having the ability to effect things so quickly on a macroscopic scale. Your statement amounts to standing on the crest of the wave and saying "see we're fine!" Unaware of the potential fall and disregarding the harm that short term solutions have already caused.

What are you comparing us to? We don't have a control group for intelligent species.

Why do you consider intelligence somehow special over big teeth or ability to change color at will?

Because intelligence is a more general purpose tool that can be used to overcome more specialized advantages.