“Global warming in 1904? “The Elbe dried up, man-made or just weather?” Under this motto, a historical photo from Dresden showing the dried-up Elbe in 1904 has become a viral internet phenomenon. Climate skeptics use the image as supposed evidence against man-made climate change. But how valid is this argument?
Global warming in 1904?
This is the sharepic that is currently making the rounds again. The inscription: “Global warming in 1904? “Is the Elbe dry, man-made or just weather?” We ourselves a year ago !
| Claims | Fact check |
|---|---|
| The photo of the dried-up Elbe in 1904 refutes global warming. | Incorrect . Individual weather events, such as the low water level of the Elbe in 1904, cannot be used to refute long-term climate trends and changes. |
| Low water events are exclusively natural phenomena and are not related to human activities. | Partly right, partly wrong. While low water events are actually natural occurrences due to weather and season, forecasts show that their frequency and intensity could be influenced by human-caused climate change. |
| Extreme weather events are evidence against climate change. | Incorrect . Individual extreme weather events may have natural causes, but the increasing frequency and intensity of such events is a sign of climate change. |
| The photo of the dried-up Elbe in 1904 is fake. | Incorrect . The photo is authentic and shows the dried-up Elbe in the summer of 1904. |
| Global warming is leading to more low water events. | Correct . Climate change, particularly global warming, affects water cycles and can cause low water events to occur more frequently and more intensely. |
1904: A look back
In the summer of 1904 the Elbe in Dresden was actually dry. Drought and the lack of water from dams at the time led to low water levels that turned the heart of Saxony into a dusty plain. The photo shared on social media is real and shows the famous Augustus Bridge, which at the time offered a panorama of a dry Elbe . The picture that is currently making the rounds on social media came from an article in the “Sächsische” newspaper from August 5, 2015 from the © H. Naumann Collection!
Weather vs. Climate: A Fundamental Difference
Before we delve deeper into the discussion, we need to clarify an elementary difference: that between weather and climate. Weather is what we experience every day – sun, rain, snow, heat, cold. Climate, on the other hand, is the long-term trend of these weather phenomena.
Low water events like 1904 on the Elbe are the product of various regional factors and weather events. Using them as evidence against global warming is like using a warm winter day as evidence against the seasons.
Individual events and long-term trends
Individual extreme weather events can have natural causes. A hot summer or a violent storm is not automatically an indication of climate change. However, if such events occur more frequently and with greater intensity, this indicates a change in long-term weather trends and thus a change in the climate.
Climate change and its effects on rivers
Low water levels are a natural consequence of dry periods and fluctuate depending on the weather and season. Human-caused climate change is affecting these natural cycles. Global warming leads to increased evaporation of water, which in turn increases dry periods and lengthens low water periods.
Forecasts by the Federal Environment Agency and the Federal Ministry of Transport assume that these trends will become even more pronounced in the future. The low water periods are not only becoming more frequent, but also more intense, especially in regions that are already affected by low water in summer and autumn.
Conclusion
A historical photo of the Elbe from 1904 is not sufficient evidence against climate change. It shows an extreme weather event in the past, but not the long-term climate trends. Human-caused climate change is a complex phenomenon that can be measured not just in individual weather events, but in the changing long-term patterns of the global climate system. Science agrees that the climate is changing – and human activities are having a significant impact on it.
The Elbe low water of 1904 is a fascinating historical event. But it should not be used as an excuse to ignore the serious and urgent challenge of climate change. The Elbe of 1904 is a memorial, not an argument. It reminds us that we must value and protect our rivers and climate before it is too late.
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )