Let me try: I would like to try and (re)define human development as:

“our ability to create and maintain high levels of future uncertainty”.

It sounds perhaps, at first, a bit paradoxical, but it certainly gets the job done. (does good for all, including animals) I stumbled upon it whilst dissecting the term "degrowth". https://gl-10190.medium.com/debunking-degrowth-part-ii-aded18d44652

Our planet has millions of years still ahead of it and so do we if we can pass this precipice by jointly striving for a better world. As most of our value, our greatest achievements, and our most profound discoveries are still awaiting us in this future. (the selfish reason:)