Integration In the Shade of the Environment: Caspian Environmental Issues and Regional Integration

Following the expansion of the population and the inaccurate growing use of limited resources, environmental damage and hazards have become more complex that requiring urgent consideration. Caspian, as the largest lake in the world, faces irreparable damage and dangers. Although over the past two decades, significant work has been carried out by international organizations and coastal states, but it has not yielded a satisfactory result. In this context, the research question is how can the Caspian Sea environmental hazards lead to regional integration? In response to this central question, our research hypothesis is that attempts to prevent and control Caspian environmental risks through leading to environmental convergence lead to regional integration. The purpose of this research is to emphasize on the key role of the community in struggle against Caspian environmental risks and to create integration in this field. In this regard, this research has been done within the framework of the new functionalism theory and through the use of a descriptive-analytical method. Findings of the research confirm that, in process of coping with the Caspian environmental risks, the environmental socialization, environmental convergency and then regional integration in Caspian field can be realized through environmental public diplomacy and using effective elements such as the media, national and international NGOs and educational institutions, religious institutions, governmental institutions and international organizations.