I think you're confusing two things. As I mentioned, the word 'civilization' comes from old word meaning to be polite to each other. Civilization means a collection of people who are polite to each other. Nothing to do with cities.

Humanity has always taken from the earth - even the hunter gatherers. They just didn't have the power and sophistication that we do. It's past time that we learnt we can't keep taking.

Unfortunately, I think there is going to be a lot of tragedy as a consequence.