The winning and using of fossil fuel inevitably results in too much irreparable damage to the environment.
Moreover, the economically exploitable supplies will be exhausted within several decades.
Modern society, however, stands or falls with the use of this fossil fuel!
Starting a new society based on a polluting and dying source of energy would be irresponsible. But we will need a smoking chimney as well!
Parts of Portugal and Spain have both the climate and the landscape to provide the possibilities to win and use durable energy.
Water, sunshine and wind are such sources of energy.
Waste from both man and animal can be fermented into methane gas. Dead wood can provide heat for the homes.
We will also need energy for mobility.
Just like any other village in the world we will need to be able to get the surplus of our harvest to the local market. A horse and cart are very romantic, but will they prove to be workable? We don‘t know yet. As long as the hydrogen motor is not available, we will (probably) be forced to use a car running on gas. Unless, of course, we could produce our own bio-diesel...
Choosing one's sources of energy is one of the most evident items in the ecological way of life, but there are more. Pollution of the soil by chemical fertilizers and by insecticides /pesticides can be avoided. We will produce our crops on a biological basis. We will keep studying to see whether a waste product can be re-used as an element in another process, preferably with as little transfer as possible.
The small-scale nature of things is also basic. We prefer several small hen-houses to one big house. For our fruits and vegetables we like many small gardens rather than large fields.
Our houses should be built in order to last at least 200 years. They should be easy to repair and maintain, but beautiful to the eye as well.
We will economize by not applying jerry-building which will result in quality. That is ecological responsibility as well.