Ben Tracy
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Articles by Ben Tracy
How the West is preparing for a drier future as water supplies hit lows
PBS News Full Episodes Podcasts Newsletters Live Oct 2, 2026 6:25 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Mandatory cuts from the federal government on water from the Colorado River will soon take effect in Arizona, Nevada, and California. Now, some water managers in the region are spending billions to prepare for a drier future. Special correspondent Ben Tracy with Climate Central reports for our series, Tipping Point.
‘The ocean is catching up': Why coastal homeowners are spending big on small moves
BUXTON, N.C. - Standing near the edge of the Atlantic Ocean on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Lat Williams points out into the distance, recalling a neighborhood that no longer exists. "There were three houses over here, and one out here, one right here," Williams said, gesturing toward the open water. "and our house was right here." In the Buxton neighborhood where Williams and his wife Debbie have lived for nearly two decades, the map has been rewritten in just 12 months.
Ocean at the front door: Coastal communities battle erosion
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Rising seas, stronger storms and relentless erosion are reshaping America’s coastlines and forcing communities to make difficult choices. Special correspondent Ben Tracy of Climate Central has the story of two Atlantic coast communities grappling with erosion. It's part of our Tipping Point series.
As the Colorado River Shrinks, States Prepare for a Future With Less Water
View guidelines for use of these broadcast-ready news packages. BY BEN TRACY, SENIOR CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT ON ASSIGNMENT FOR CLIMATE CENTRAL It was 108 degrees as we motored across Nevada’s Lake Mead in our rented pontoon boat. Colby Pellegrino with the Southern Nevada Water Authority wanted to show us something we shouldn’t have been able to see. She pointed toward a rock island where a large metal pipe was sticking out of the water.
How bags of ice are helping save lives in Phoenix
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Extreme heat is the deadliest weather-related threat in the U.S. In Phoenix, heat kills more people than homicides each year. So the city is turning to an unlikely lifesaver: bags of ice. And the fire department is creating a new model in the battle against heatstroke. For our series, Tipping Point, Ben Tracy of Climate Central shows how this low-tech approach is saving lives.
As climate change extends mosquito season, scientists fight back with more mosquitoes
The box arrived in the San Gabriel Valley, just east of Los Angeles, filled with more than two dozen paper tubes about the size of toilet paper rolls. “All 25 tubes are here,” said Tristan Hallum, who oversees scientific programs for the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito Control District. He held one of the tubes up to his ear and listened closely. “What I'm listening for is the sound of 600 adults flying around,” he said.
Scientists explore new ways to target mosquitos as warming climate expands threat
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio It doesn't have sharp teeth or claws, but mosquitoes kill more people than any other animal on earth. As the climate warms, mosquito season is lasting longer, giving them more time to spread dangerous diseases. Ben Tracy with Climate Central reports on why the insects are thriving, and the surprising way scientists are fighting back.
How New Satellites and AI Are Transforming Wildfire Detection
View guidelines for use of these broadcast-ready news packages. BY BEN TRACY, SENIOR CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT ON ASSIGNMENT FOR CLIMATE CENTRAL As firefighters battle fast moving wildfires near Spokane, Washington, thousands of residents have been forced to evacuate, homes have been destroyed, and thick smoke has blanketed parts of the Inland Northwest. The fires are the latest reminder that when a wildfire is detected can be just as important as where it starts.
How satellites and AI cameras are detecting wildfires before they get out of control
This year is becoming one of the worst for U.S. wildfires in at least a decade. There have been more fires and more acreage burned at this point in the year compared to any in the last ten. With fire seasons growing longer, early detection is critical. Special correspondent Ben Tracy of Climate Central reports on how AI is being used to spot fires faster. It's part of our series, Tipping Point. Notice: Transcripts are machine and human generated and lightly edited for accuracy.
How climate change and rising seas endanger historic sites like Jamestown, Virginia
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio As the country celebrates its 250th anniversary, rising seas and coastal erosion are putting some of America’s most historic places at risk. For our ongoing series, Tipping Point, special correspondent Ben Tracy with Climate Central reports from Jamestown, Virginia, where archaeologists are racing to uncover America’s past before it’s washed away.
As Seas Rise, American History Could Be Washed Away Original
Sean Romo stops digging the moment he sees a faint line emerge in the sandy Virginia soil. It’s just a slight change in color, but to Romo, director of archaeology for Jamestown Rediscovery, it may be another piece of America's origin story. "I think it might be a gate," he says quietly. Around him, archaeologists kneel in carefully measured squares, scraping away the dirt one thin layer at a time. The work is slow by necessity.
Power to the people: How ‘balcony solar’ could help fight rising utility costs
By Ben Tracy, Climate Central If you feel like your electricity bill just keeps climbing, you aren’t imagining it. Since 2020, U.S. residential energy prices have surged by about 30%, making power the largest household energy expense behind gasoline, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But for residents like Alex Curtis, the days of feeling powerless against rising costs are coming to an end.
The scientist and his family tracking melting glaciers for nearly half a century
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio The world’s glaciers are receding at an alarming rate, losing more than a trillion tons of ice a year. Fueled in part by climate change, it’s driving sea levels higher, which could threaten coastal communities around the world. One man, alongside his family, has seen the melt firsthand every year for nearly half a century. Special correspondent Ben Tracy of Climate Central reports.
World Cup players challenged by dangerously hot weather
PBS News Full Episodes Podcasts Newsletters Live Jun 11, 2026 6:20 PM EDT Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio The World Cup kicked off on Thursday as South Africa squared off against Mexico, one of this year's host countries. Several American cities hosting these opening matches will be sweltering this weekend, making stadiums feel more like a sauna than a playing field. Climate Central’s Ben Tracy shows us how extreme heat is changing the game in our warming world.
How ‘balcony solar’ could help fight rising utility costs
If you feel like your electricity bill just keeps climbing, you aren’t imagining it. Since 2020, U.S. residential energy prices have surged by about 30%, making power the largest household energy expense behind gasoline, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. But for residents like Alex Curtis, the days of feeling powerless against rising costs are coming to an end. Curtis is waging a war on his electric bill, and his new weapon of choice is a lightweight, thin-film solar panel.
How underwater speakers are helping revive coral reefs devastated by climate change
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Coral reefs are essential to the health of oceans, the food supply and to protecting the coast from storms. But as climate change pushes ocean temperatures higher, reefs are dying and bleaching events have put them at higher risk. Special correspondent Ben Tracy with Climate Central reports on an unlikely tool to bring reefs back from the brink. It's part of our series, Tipping Point.
Can Underwater Speakers Save the World’s Dying Coral Reefs? Original
Can Underwater Speakers Save the World’s Dying Coral Reefs? The northern coast of Jamaica is so cinematic that even James Bond couldn't resist its allure. It served as the backdrop for scenes in the high-octane 007 thriller No Time to Die. But today, beneath those same turquoise waves, a real-life mission is unfolding with higher stakes than any Hollywood blockbuster: the race to pull a dying coral reef back from the brink.
Can Underwater Speakers Save the World’s Dying Coral Reefs?
View guidelines for use of these broadcast-ready news packages. BY BEN TRACY, SENIOR CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT ON ASSIGNMENT FOR CLIMATE CENTRAL The northern coast of Jamaica is so cinematic that even James Bond couldn't resist its allure. It served as the backdrop for scenes in the high-octane 007 thriller No Time to Die.
The Pollen Trap: Seasonal Allergies Are Getting Worse — This Tech Could Help
View guidelines for use of these broadcast-ready news packages. BY BEN TRACY, SENIOR CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT ON ASSIGNMENT FOR CLIMATE CENTRAL For Kristin Klein, the first days of spring in Raleigh-Durham aren't marked by the beauty of blooming flowers, but by the arrival of a thick, yellow coating of pollen dust. For her, and for millions of others, the seasonal shift has become a grueling endurance test. “When your eyes are almost swollen shut, it’s a problem,” Klein says.
TUMS For The Ocean? Carbon Storage Beneath the Waves
View guidelines for use of these broadcast-ready news packages. BY BEN TRACY, SENIOR CLIMATE CORRESPONDENT ON ASSIGNMENT FOR CLIMATE CENTRAL The Earth’s climate is more out of balance than at any time in observed history, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization. Record levels of greenhouse gas concentrations from our continued burning of fossil fuels are rapidly warming the planet and creating increasingly extreme weather.
Millions at risk of losing unemployment benefits
Millions at risk of losing unemployment benefits If Congress does not act before the end of the year, the unemployment benefits that millions of Americans receive will disappear. Ben Tracy reports on how that will affect one household in California.
Capturing the melting of glaciers, with data and art
Capturing the melting of glaciers, with data and art In the rugged North Cascade Mountains of Washington State, no one likely knows this glacier better than Mauri Pelto, who says, "My life has been shaped by this ice." For more than 40 years, Pelto, a glaciologist and a professor at Nichols College in Massachusetts, has returned to this remote wilderness. "We got 6,000 measurements on this glacier," he said. Today, the crunch of footsteps in the snow is now rivaled by the sound of melting ice.
Phoenix firefighters turn to low-tech solution to battle deadly heatstroke Original
As extreme heat continues to grip large parts of the country, cities like Phoenix are turning to an unlikely — and remarkably effective — lifesaving tool: bags of ice. Phoenix is no stranger to the deadly impact of high temperatures. In fact, heat kills more people there each year than homicides. Now, the Phoenix Fire Department is taking a low-tech approach that's setting a national example in combating heat-related illnesses: cold water immersion.
Coastal homeowners turn to climate-resilient designs to combat worsening hurricane seasons Original
Forecasters are warning the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which started June 1, could be an above-average year, potentially producing up to 19 named storms and 5 major hurricanes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. As storms grow stronger and more frequent, a growing number of homeowners along the East and Gulf Coast are taking a proactive approach — building smarter, more resilient homes designed to withstand the forces of nature.
How a "cool block" in one Massachusetts city could provide a template for combatting extreme heat Original
Boston blocks become test cases for beating heat Boston — For Arwa Ait-Chaib and her mother, Wafa El Hidar, summertime in Chelsea, Massachusetts, means trying to beat the heat. "There are always some days that I feel like we live in the middle of the Sahara desert," Ait-Chaib told CBS News. Their Chelsea neighborhood, located just across the river from Boston, offers little shade. "We had no trees over here at all," El Hidar said.
Fusion energy: Unlocking the power of the stars Original
If it looks like the set of some Hollywood sci-fi show, perhaps that's fitting, because what they are doing here is making stars on Earth. "We are able to make miniature stars, 'cause fusion is the same reaction that powers the Sun and stars," said Tammy Ma, who leads the Fusion Energy Initiative at the National Ignition Facility (NIF) in Livermore, California. It's part of the same government laboratory that ensures the safety and reliability of the nation's nuclear stockpile.
Houston's plastic waste is piling up, waiting on the promise of "advanced recycling" Original
This story is a partnership between Inside Climate News and CBS News. Watch the CBS Reports documentary, "Advanced Recycling: Does Big Plastic's Idea Work?" About 48 million tons of plastic waste are generated each year in the U.S., and very little of it is ever recycled. The city of Houston says it has an innovative new program that can recycle any type of plastic, calling it a model for the nation, but environmental groups say the results leave much to be desired.
Houston's plastic waste is piling up, waiting on the promise of "advanced recycling"
World News 9 hours ago Woman Drops AirTag in Recycling to See If Plastics Are Actually Recycled Newsweek - Rachel Dobkin • 9h A Texas environmentalist curious about the fate of her city's recycling had her suspicions confirmed after she dropped AirTags in with her plastics … Waste Management 11 hours ago Zero Waste Week: 7 simple ways we can all help portsmouth.co.uk - Lucy Crawford • 11h Lottomart has provided some easy hacks to help you make the most of the environmental initiative Zero...
Road closure: Keeping California's scenic Highway 1 open Original
On the California coast where the mountains cascade into the sea, a ribbon of road rides down the edge of the continent. Driving on Highway 1 is a singular experience, and this winding 70-mile stretch hugging the steep coastline of Big Sur is why bucket lists exist. For tourists like Linda Carroll, of St. Paul, Minnesota, the feeling from driving Highway 1 is divine. "I think it's phenomenal," she said.
How the surging demand for energy and rise of AI is straining the power grid in the U.S. Original
How AI impacts the climate The surging demand for energy in the U.S. is growing significantly for the first time in decades. Experts say it is forecast to hit record highs both this year and next year — creating more planet-warming emissions. Part of the demand is due to an increasing number of data centers across the country, along with the rise of artificial intelligence.
How the surging demand for energy and rise of AI is straining the power grid in the U.S.
How the surging demand for energy and rise of AI is straining the power grid in the U.S. The surging demand for energy in the U.S. is growing significantly for the first time in decades. Experts say it is forecast to hit record highs both …
Battery storage is key to scaling up solar and wind power. Here's why. Original
Rachel Harper used to work in the oil and gas industry in Texas and never thought she'd be working next to solar panels all day. "It's a much more peaceful environment," Harper said. "I like this way better." She's now at a startup in California called B2U that takes the still-usable batteries out of older electric vehicles, slides them into large racks and then plugs them into solar panels so they can store solar power. "We're basically a retirement home for these EV batteries," Harper said.
Environmental concerns grow over impact of liquefied natural gas as U.S. is world's top supplier Original
The United States is now the world's leading exporter of Liquified Natural Gas, or LNG, after the country tripled its output in the past six years, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Environmentalists say this is defeating the Biden administration's goals of weaning the U.S. off of fossil fuels to avert climate change-driven catastrophes in the future. LNG is natural gas that is supercooled into a liquid so it can be loaded onto tankers and shipped overseas.
As consumers pump the brakes on EV purchases, hybrid production ramps up Original
Hybrid car sales up as buyers pump brakes on EVs There's been a noticeable change at the Ford F-150 plant in Dearborn, Michigan. Production manager Cortni Reeves said that on one particular day, one out of every seven trucks is a hybrid. "Every 53 seconds," she said, "we have a truck come off this assembly line." A year ago, only one out of 10 trucks produced was a hybrid, marking a 30% increase in hybrid production and showing that hybrids are what consumers are demanding.
Corral Fire in California has firefighters worried as climate change threatens to make fire season worse Original
The Corral Fire exploded in Northern California over the weekend, scorching more than 14,000 acres, jumping major roadways and prompting evacuations as it bore down on nearby homes. Local resident Daniel Perez stayed behind to help first responders. "The firefighters actually dipped the hose into my pool," he told CBS News. Perez said it appeared they had stopped the fire at one point before flames suddenly came in from another direction.
Cicadas are back, but climate change is messing with their body clocks Original
Billions of cicadas are emerging across about 16 states in the Southeast and Midwest. Periodical cicadas used to reliably emerge every 13 or 17 years, depending on their brood. But in a warming world where spring conditions arrive sooner, climate change is messing with the bugs' internal alarm clocks.
How the cicada invasion is bringing people together Original
The deeper meaning of the cicada phenomenon Kristi Shirley has been captivated by the army of cicadas marching up trees at a park near her home in southern Illinois. "There's nothing like it. It's just like, wow, is this what we're watching in front of our eyes?" Shirley said. By now, you've probably seen the headlines: two groups of periodical cicadas are emerging at the same time for the first time in two centuries, with billions of the noisy bugs showing up in 16 U.S. states.
How countries are using innovative technology to preserve ocean life Original
How innovative technology protects ocean life Vast oceans cover 70% of our planet's surface, playing a crucial role in human survival by providing food and oxygen and acting as a buffer against climate change. Despite their importance, oceans are increasingly threatened by global warming and human activity, with rising temperatures impacting fragile marine ecosystems.
Critics call out plastics industry over "fraud of plastic recycling"
Critics call out plastics industry over “fraud of plastic recycling” By Ben Tracy CBC News April 14, 2024 Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building Jan Dell, a former chemical engineer, has spent years telling an inconvenient truth about plastics. “So many people, they see the recyclable label, and they put it in the recycle bin,” she said. “But the vast majority of plastics are not recycled.” …Only 5 to 6 percent of it is actually recycled, according to the Department of Energy.
Critics call out plastics industry over "fraud of plastic recycling" Original
Jan Dell is a former chemical engineer who has spent years telling an inconvenient truth about plastics. "So many people, they see the recyclable label, and they put it in the recycle bin," she said. "But the vast majority of plastics are not recycled." About 48 million tons of plastic waste is generated in the U.S. each year; only 5 to 6 percent of it is actually recycled, according to the Department of Energy. The rest ends up in landfills or is burned.
Critics call out plastics industry over "fraud of plastic recycling"
Critics call out plastics industry over "fraud of plastic recycling" Jan Dell is a former chemical engineer who has spent years telling an inconvenient truth about plastics. "So many people, they see the recyclable …
Critics call out plastics industry over "fraud of plastic recycling"
Ben Tracy April 14, 2024 at 8:53 AM·4 min read Jan Dell is a former chemical engineer who has spent years telling an inconvenient truth about plastics. "So many people, they see the recyclable label, and they put it in the recycle bin," she said. "But the vast majority of plastics are not recycled." About 48 million tons of plastic waste is generated in the U.S. each year; only 5 to 6 percent of it is actually recycled, according to the Department of Energy.
Critics call out plastics industry over "fraud of plastic recycling"
April 14, 2024 at 8:53 AM Jan Dell is a former chemical engineer who has spent years telling an inconvenient truth about plastics. "So many people, they see the recyclable label, and they put it in the recycle bin," she said. "But the vast majority of plastics are not recycled." About 48 million tons of plastic waste is generated in the U.S. each year; only 5 to 6 percent of it is actually recycled, according to the Department of Energy. The rest ends up in landfills or is burned.
El capitán James Cook y el controvertido legado de la exploración occidental
En la Isla Grande de Hawái, donde las olas llegan a la bahía de Kealakekua, un obelisco blanco de 27 pies de altura se alza sobre la costa. Es un homenaje al gran circunnavegador Capitán James Cook. Se encuentra a pocos metros de donde murió. Akoni Palacat-Nelsen es un nativo hawaiano (o kanaka, como ellos mismos se llaman) que trabaja para la Oficina de Asuntos Hawaianos defendiendo a la población nativa.
Captain James Cook and the controversial legacy of Western exploration Original
On the Big Island of Hawaii, where the waves roll into Kealakekua Bay, a white obelisk 27 feet tall looms over the shoreline. It's a tribute to the great circumnavigator Captain James Cook. It stands just feet from where he died. Akoni Palacat-Nelsen is a native Hawaiian (or kanaka, as they call themselves) who works for the Office of Hawaiian Affairs advocating for the native population. He says there is a lot of frustration that many people think history began here with Captain Cook.
Cómo dos empresas están adoptando enfoques diferentes para la captura de carbono a medida que los informes climáticos muestran el aumento de las temperaturas
Informes climáticos recientes han mostrado tendencias alarmantes, ya que se confirmó que 2023 será el año el año más caluroso registrado y el aumento de las temperaturas provocaron la pérdida de 1 millón de kilómetros cuadrados de hielo Artico en el año pasado. Mientras la administración Biden está comprometiendo casi 4 mil millones de dólares para impulsar una nueva Captura de carbon industria en los EE.
How 2 companies are approaching carbon capture
Recent climate reports have shown alarming trends as 2023 was confirmed as the hottest year on record and rising temperatures led to the loss of 1 million square kilometers of arctic ice in the last year. As the Biden administration is committing nearly $4 billion toward jumpstarting a new carbon capture industry in the U.S., CBS News was given an inside look at two companies taking different approaches to process.
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