Jan. 16, 2026 8 AM PT
To the editor: The declining belief in science reported in Hayley Smith’s article got here as no shock to this former medical author at the moment dwelling within the intense warmth of Arizona (“The Earth keeps getting hotter, and Americans’ trust in science is on a down trend,” Jan. 15).
Periodically, I’ve had chats with neighbors concerning the warmth. Many of the talks have been considerate, however some have veered into cuckoo territory. One dialog particularly sticks with me.
Discussing the issue of staying cool on a 111-degree day, one neighbor stated, “Oh, Arizonans have been coping with actually scorching climate since dinosaurs lived right here. Individuals at all times determine a method, and we don’t want hysterical scientists telling us what to do.”
I felt like asking which kind of dinosaur designed the air con nonetheless working in her automobile as she picked up her mail. However I assumed higher of the thought.
Mary Stanik, Tucson
