It's all about greed -- for money and for power. Hurt the earth, then sell things to reverse the effects. Tell people that if they follow you, you'll fix things. Or, worse -- deny it's damaging things at all, and people do. And people believe it.

[ No, if she had to pick, she would prefer a Templar like Cesare to a Templar like Vidic. One that fights with a sword. ]

Anyone who says otherwise is called crazy, if they don't do something worse.