Cultural Heritage and Youth Resilience

Climate change is not only an environmental crisis but also a growing psychological challenge for younger generations, who increasingly experience eco-anxiety, climate distress, and a loss of identity tied to disrupted cultural and ecological landscapes. While international climate adaptation strategies have begun to include mental health and psychosocial support, the potential of cultural heritage in this domain remains largely underexplored. This chapter offers a state-of-the-art review of current approaches and perspectives at the intersection of climate change, youth mental health, and heritage and examines how tangible and intangible heritage—through storytelling, rituals, artistic practices, and intergenerational knowledge—can offer culturally embedded coping strategies that support youth well-being. Drawing on European case studies, it argues for a shift in perspective: from viewing heritage as a fragile legacy for recognizing it as a living resource for emotional resilience, community cohesion, and climate adaptation. The chapter calls for the integration of cultural heritage into youth-focused climate and mental health policies, enabling new generations to confront climate uncertainty with strengthened identity, meaning, and hope.