I am still thinking a lot about this "Philosophize This" episode: https://www.philosophizethis.org/podcast/h48mld6lelcfrts-c55k9
The topic is highly relevant. Bataille argued that self-destruction has its origin the solar energy surplus.
It is a very interesting reasoning. I'll try to summarise the idea here and add my personal thoughts.
We are the only species with the ability the self-destruct. We have access to an abundance of resources, but fail to share it collectively. As individuals and as a collective we fail to manage our resourcefulness.
The dictate of utilitarism does not it easier. Every action and subject has to be useful. Being wasteful is not tolerated and this leads us to very specific set of problems.
But first I'd like to pivot back to solar energy.
In order to be wasteful there needs to be a surplus of energy. We receive a surplus of energy every day. It is solar energy.
Solar energy is stored in the biosphere. Plants grow, we make food and most important stockpile food.
Managing this energy well allows us to work less and live from the stockpile. The stored energy becomes very important and therefore needs protection.
The surplus of energy can also be turned into weapons.
Janik 
