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The first towns grew up less than 600 years ago.
最初的城镇出现在6000多年前。
It was a considerable leap in human history.
这是人类历史的一大步。
Why towns? Because they allowed humans to defend themselves more easily.
为什么呢？因为这能使人类更容易的保护自己。
They became social beings,meeting and sharing knowledge and crafts,blending their similarities and differences.
他们变成了社会人。在一起分享他们的知识和手艺,融合他们的共性和不同。
In a word, they became civilized.
简而言之他们文明化了。
But the only energy at their disposal was provided by nature...and the strength of their bodies.
但他们可用的能量只是双臂和大自然赋予的东西。
It was the story of humankind for thousands of years.
这是人类数千年来的故事。
It still is for one person in four-over one and a half billion human beings-more than the combined population of all the wealthy nations.
也是现今四分之一人类。即十五亿人的故事比富裕国家人口的总和还多。
Taking from the Earth only the strictly necessary.
他们只从地球获取必须的用品。
For a long time, the relationship between humans and the planet...was evenly balanced.
很长一段时间 人类和地球的关系,平衡对等。
For a long time, the economy seemed like a natural and equitable alliance.
很长一段时间,经济看起来是自然公正的联盟。
But life expectancy is short, and hard labor takes its toll.
但人类寿命短暂 艰苦劳动大行其道。
The uncertainties of nature weigh on daily life.
大自然的不可预知加重日常负担。
Education is a rare privilege.
教育是罕有特权。
Children are a family's only asset,as long as every extra pair of hands...
子女是家庭唯一资产,每双手。
is a necessary contribution to its subsistence.
对家庭的生存都要作出贡献。
The Earth feeds people, clothes them...and provides for their daily needs.
地球为我们提供食物和衣物以及日常所需。
Everything comes from the Earth.
一切来自地球。
