Some people think that improving people's standard of living is always more important than protecting wild birds and animals. To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Economic development is often presented as a moral duty, especially in societies where many people still struggle with poverty, poor housing, and inadequate healthcare. Yet this understandable desire for material progress can become dangerous when it treats the natural world as an obstacle rather than a foundation. I disagree with the view that improving living standards is always more important than protecting wildlife, because human welfare and biodiversity are more closely connected than this argument assumes.