In this engaging discussion, science reporter Dan Charles sheds light on why some experts argue for letting abandoned land reclaim its natural state. Ecologist Gergana Daskalova shares her personal journey back to her deserted Bulgarian village, exploring how urban migration impacts rural communities. They debate the balance between stewardship and allowing nature to flourish on its own. Listeners discover the complexities of biodiversity in these changing environments and the innovative strategies for managing abandoned land as agriculture shifts.

President Biden continues his travel this week in Scotland, where he is attending the United Nations climate conference, COP26. Despite trouble passing his climate change proposals at home, Biden told the gathering of world leaders that the U.S. will become a net-zero emissions economy in the next three decades.This episode: White House correspondent Ayesha Rascoe, White House correspondent Scott Detrow, and science correspondent Dan Charles.Connect:Subscribe to the NPR Politics Podcast here.Email the show at nprpolitics@npr.orgJoin the NPR Politics Podcast Facebook Group.Listen to our playlist The NPR Politics Daily Workout.Subscribe to the NPR Politics Newsletter.Find and support your local public radio station.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy