President Biden has declared the U.S. is back as a leader in combatting disastrous climate change. But after years of unfulfilled pledges, how do other countries view American leadership and promises?

U.S. climate envoy John Kerry told NPR the declaration spurs mutual accountability. "I'm absolutely convinced that that is the fastest, best way to get China to move from where it is today," he said.

Many island nations have the most to lose when it comes to the climate crisis. But at the COP26 U.N. climate summit, they insist they aren't victims, they're warriors.

Low-lying islands and nations are among those most at risk from rising sea levels, and have been sounding the alarm on the need for action by wealthier nations to limit global warming for years.

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg from COP26, as world leaders release a draft of their goals to cut emissions and avert disastrous climate change.

Nakate spoke with NPR about the role gender plays in climate activism, whether the COP26 summit feels inclusive and her advice for other youth who feel they can't affect change in the climate crisis.

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with climate activist Vanessa Nakate of Uganda about her goals in bringing the needs of the global south to the fore at the United Nations climate change conference, COP26.

Chinese President Xi Jinping is not attending COP26 in person. Climate analysts and activists weigh in on what his absence means for the climate pledges made by one of the top carbon-emitting nations.

Indigenous activists from around the world are in Glasgow for COP26, but say the same legacy of colonialism that has led to climate-related losses has impacted their access to the conference.

Indigenous activists from around the world are in Glasgow for COP26, but say the same legacy of colonialism that has led to climate-related losses has impacted their access to the conference.

NPR's Ari Shapiro speaks with Todd Stern, who served as a chief climate negotiator for the Obama Administration, about what to expect as this year's climate negotiations get underway in Glasgow.

NPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., about the ongoing talks over President Biden's domestic spending plan.

NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Fla., who chairs the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, also known as COP26.

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with Adrian Ma of the Planet Money podcast about the "billionaire tax" being proposed by Democrats to help fund the Build Back Better legislation.

Although spiders are sometimes thought of as being creepy crawly animals, new evidence suggests some get scared and assess danger in almost the same way as humans.

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with economist Austan Goolsbee about what it will take for the U.S. to recover from the unique economic challenges posed by the pandemic.

NPR's Ailsa Chang talks with ACLU attorney Somil Trivedi and Slate reporter Mark Joseph Stern on a lawsuit against South Carolina's redistricting process and when new voting maps will be put in place.

NPR's Audie Cornish talks with Rachel Abrams, a lawyer representing victims of sexual assault in lawsuits against rideshare company Lyft, which had over 4,000 reports of sexual assault in two years.

NPR's Sarah McCammon talks with Patricia Oliver, whose son Joaquin was among the 17 victims of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., about the gunman's guilty plea.

NPR's Sarah McCammon talks with Kristin Henning of Georgetown University on why Black children are more likely to be handled forcibly by police.