Will the Galaxy Miss Us?

Brian Cox warns the delegates of Cop26 that humans might be the only intelligent beings in our galaxy. He suggests that 'destroying our civilisation (with rampant climate change) could be a galactic disaster' (https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/oct/19/earths-demise-could-rid-galaxy-of-meaning-warns-brian-cox-ahead-of-cop26). Cox is an excellent science communicator, whose new series Universe airs shortly on BBC2. One episode discusses the 'Goldilocks theory'. This is the idea (it's not actually much of a theory) that the Earth is in just the right position in relation to its sun for life. It's neither too hot nor too cold. Cox notes that there may be circa 20bn Earth-like planets in the galaxy. On the basis of what he feels he has learned about Biology, however, he suggests that any life evolving on other planets might well be only simple and slime-like. I wholly approve of Cox attempting get the Cop26 delegates to think seriously. I feel, however, that his view of the relative uniqueness (if there is such a thing) of humans, is overstated. Humans have always had a tendency to claim to be unique. Some have/still do maintain they are 'in God's image'. Scientifically, humans even arrogantly classify themselves as Homo sapiens ('wise man'). For many years, it was claimed that humans were the only organisms on the Earth to have a) self-awareness; b) language; c) an ability to fashion and use tools; d) any numeracy etc, etc. In more recent years, scientists have found beasts, also having these skills, actually living on our own planet. It's by no means certain that the galaxy would be a less 'meaningful' and brillient place without humans. I hope Cop26 goes well.