I've never played the game. Been meaning to for a while but so far have really only heard third-hand accounts of it. From the very little I know though that seems like a real possibility and honestly I prefer that interpretation.

@Jayjader@jlai.lu 's explanation gave me the impression it was nature's way of fighting back against unsustainable practices. Like it lets you play as a bad guy and see the consequences of doing so, rather than pitting you against some diagetic evil and painting everything you do in a morally justified light.

I might have to eat crow on this one though, like I said I don't even have entry level knowledge here.