Only proof of work coins are harmful to the environment, and even then, it depends on the type of work (Monero is p.o.w. but uses a fraction of the energy that Bitcoin uses).
Ethereum reduced their energy footprint by over 99.9% by switching to proof of stake. It has nearly no environmental impact.
It's like saying we should make all trains illegal because the first ones we made that ran on coal were bad for the environment.
Bitcoin was first, but they're not the only and far from the best.
I'm sure they're doing this for the little guy. /s
I made the mistake of mentioning crypto derisively to a coworker at a new job and then he told me he'd bought in during the pan and lost money. I gotta be careful about what I talk about without knowing my audience.