The Jovian planets are also known as gas giants and have had more of an impact on Earth than most Earthlings probably realise. During the formation of the solar system, these planets captured large planetesimals as moons and allowed the inner solar system to form less violently.
The gravitational pull of these massive planets also drew comets laden with ice from the outer reaches of the solar system towards the dry rocky worlds in the center. It was largely due to this slingshot process that Earth received its oceans.
Finally, the Jovian planets protect the inner planets today by deflecting asteroids and comets that might otherwise penetrate into the inner solar system and collide with Earth.
Yes, in general this is a true statement, since most of these important changes in technology occurred during the Industrial Revolution, which led to demand for far more resources from areas like South America, which previously did not export a great deal of materials.
