I was in an elevator yesterday with a man maybe ten years younger, and we shared traditional Philadelphia summer pleasantries: “Sure is hot!”

But he insisted it was no hotter than ever, and that storms weren’t getting worse.

“The bad storms happen more often, and do more damage,” I said.

“That’s not true, you just think that. None of it’s any worse,” the man, who is apparently a part-time meteorologist, told me. “You’re listening to these green types, they just want to keep the country from proper industrial development.”

“Have a nice day,” I said and walked away.