Speaker
Description
This conceptual paper examines how sacred place attachment influences sustainable climate behaviors and human interaction with the environment in South Asia. The main objective is to explore the emotional, spiritual, and cultural connections that communities form with sacred and historical landscapes, and how these attachments foster pro-environmental action. Drawing on theories from environmental psychology, place attachment, and the theory of planned behavior, the paper uses a conceptual framework to analyze how rituals, values, and embodied practices tied to culturally significant places shape attitudes and behaviors toward environmental protection. Illustrative references are drawn from Buddhist, Hindu, and multi-faith heritage sites across the region. These sacred landscapes—often situated in ecologically vulnerable or politically sensitive zones—are proposed as motivators for climate-conscious practices, intergenerational care, and place-based sustainability. The methodology involves a theoretical synthesis of existing literature, integrated with region-specific insights to explore the links between identity, culture, and environmental engagement. The study contributes to the conference theme by highlighting how place-based spirituality can serve as an emotionally resonant driver of collective climate action. It also considers the challenges of preserving sacred sites amid climate threats and social change. This approach invites interdisciplinary dialogue and offers culturally sensitive pathways for strengthening community interaction with the environment.
Keywords: Sacred place attachment, environmental psychology, climate behavior, cultural ecosystem services, heritage, and sustainability.
