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The ecovillages They are ecological villages, but intuition does not serve much more than to get to this point, to imagine that they are a kind of hamlets or small towns in which a life harmonious with the environment is lived.
But is this exactly? In this post we will give meaning to the concept of ecovillage, beyond this first common sense approach. Because, among other things, the concept of ecovillage involves both aspects related to renewable technologies and a philosophy of life different from the prevailing one, which is committed to a different, authentic and respectful lifestyle with the environment. Discover with Green Ecologist what are ecovillages.
Ecovillages and permaculture
To speak of an ecovillage is necessarily to speak of permaculture. If the ecovillage is synonymous with an alternative and sustainable way of life, of a supportive community that seeks energy and food self-sufficiency, permaculture has to do with agricultural ecosystems and sustainable habitats, integrating from agricultural production to living space, landscape, recycling, reuse, methods of obtaining energy …
In reality, in both cases it seeks to transcend sustainability to achieve a positive result, productivity and pollution reduction, seeking, for example, a negative carbon footprint and a surplus in power generation or agriculture.
In fact, it can be said that permaculture is the modus operandi, the soul or basic theory of life in the ecovillage, although each one will have its particular idiosyncrasy depending on a myriad of factors.
In Spain there are 19 registered ecovillages, although it is a global project, which we can practically find in any country in the world. They will be different, but they will all have a series of characteristics in common, such as the objective of triple ecological, social and economic sustainability.
There are many pieces that have to fit into that ecosystem that is created from a human settlement that seeks to fit the key aspects of life in a sustainable and respectful way with the environment. That is to say, ideally within it the individual has to find their daily vital needs covered, from a home, study and work to leisure, food, energy and others. Except for the use of hospitals and other services such as long-distance transportation, let's say.
A way out of the crisis
In recent years, coinciding with the period of economic crisis, the ecovillage option has received a significant boost. However, it can mean a passing trend, although there is another underlying trend that is pushing globally, and that does not stop growing. That unstoppable push that ecology is experiencing, therefore, could also explain part of its success.
Thus, life in an ecovillage can respond both to the desire to find one exit to lack of work as an option looking for a alternative to urban life and their poor quality of life, away from nature and dominated by all-consuming consumerism.
Bet on a better world
Founding an ecovillage or joining it, no doubt, has an important idealistic component. It is not just about leaving behind life in the city, its pollution, expenses, energy dependence or food based on traditional agriculture and factory farms.
Leading a life close to nature, in a responsible way, is a way of life that gives us much more than autonomy and health. In short, it is about conquering that valuable individuality that brings us closer to a a better, equitable, supportive and ecological world, in which value and price are not confused.
If you want to read more articles similar to What are ecovillages?, we recommend that you enter our category of Other ecology.
