How I deal with no afterlife

[Arkilogue]

For the same reason that lesser or non intelligent life evolved in that same environment. Because it can. I cannot speak for other star systems - but in ours, the distance between the Earth and the Sun creates acceptable conditions for life to evolve. At least for the time being.

Don't forget - long before human beings came around, the Earth was dominated by several other species. We aren't that special, we're just in the top spot for now.

No.  We are that special.  What species has dominated earth that even comes close to human beings?  It's not just the difference between a dinosaur and a wooly mammoth.   There is no comparison.

Thank the cyanobacteria that oxygenated earths atmosphere starting around 2.3 billion years ago. They also caused one of the most significant extinction events on earth....human's aren't that far behind in causing the 6th Great Extinction event.