WEBVTT 00:00.343 --> 00:02.627 And here we go again: 00:02.627 --> 00:08.680 Summer is beginning, and the usual headlines are filling the pages of the media, such as: 00:08.680 --> 00:16.773 “Is the Elbe River in Magdeburg Facing a Historic Low Water Level?” or “Low Water Levels Are Disrupting Shipping.” 00:16.773 --> 00:22.424 These alarm messages are now broadcast every year, and they could cause people to worry. 00:22.424 --> 00:32.120 Last year, headlines read: “Elbe River at All-Time Low” or “Water levels on the Elbe in Magdeburg are lower than ever.” 00:32.120 --> 00:39.487 But last summer, Simon was already on site along the Elbe, explaining what the low water levels were all about and 00:39.487 --> 00:44.128 what tricks are used to generate fear-mongering headlines. 00:44.128 --> 00:53.580 In this program, learn what the Elbe River looked like in 1904, for example, and what reasons for concern actually exist. 00:56.762 --> 01:01.760 Hey! I read something interesting in one of the latest issues of S&G. 01:01.760 --> 01:04.960 If you're not familiar with S&G yet, check it out here. 01:04.960 --> 01:11.450 The S&G article referred to a *Der Spiegel* article from July of this year with the headline: 01:11.450 --> 01:17.091 "The Elbe River has reached a historic low near Magdeburg." 01:17.091 --> 01:24.700 Excerpt from the *Spiegel* article: “The water level of the Elbe River near Magdeburg has fallen to a historic low.” 01:24.700 --> 01:28.882 At the Strombrücke, the water level was 44 centimeters. 01:28.882 --> 01:35.380 "That would be the lowest water level ever recorded at this location." 01:35.380 --> 01:40.435 Other media outlets also sensed an opportunity and ran headlines such as: “Elbe at its 01:40.435 --> 01:43.627 lowest water level ever,” as reported by *Bild*. 01:43.627 --> 01:51.320 And: “The water level of the Elbe River in Magdeburg is lower than ever,” says MDR. 01:51.320 --> 01:57.830 The *Der Spiegel* article continues: “The environmental organization BUND is alarmed.” 01:57.830 --> 02:07.320 "In light of the low water levels, she is calling for consideration of ending shipping on the Elbe." 02:07.320 --> 02:15.490 Changing the subject: If by any chance you need a postcard from this beautiful spot where I’m standing right now, but you don’t 02:15.490 --> 02:23.854 really like the relatively new bridge in the background, I have a postcard here of what I believe is the bridge before that one—it 02:23.854 --> 02:28.992 used to stand a few hundred meters further downstream back then. 02:28.992 --> 02:33.600 The postcard is actually a bit older—it's from 1904, to be exact. 02:33.600 --> 02:40.704 Here you can see the bridge as it was back then, and below it, a few children splashing around in the waters of the Elbe. 02:40.704 --> 02:46.377 15 centimeters above sea level at the measuring station. 02:46.377 --> 02:53.017 Maybe I should send this postcard to *Der Spiegel* later, with a few helpful notes on the back—for example, that comparing 02:53.017 --> 03:00.320 water level readings is a bit tricky because the Elbe has been dredged several times to accommodate shipping traffic. 03:00.320 --> 03:06.600 Today, the Elbe River is deeper, the riverbed is narrower, and as a result, the water flows faster. 03:06.600 --> 03:12.880 As a result, the same water level usually results in a higher flow rate than before. 03:12.880 --> 03:17.622 Water levels have been measured in Magdeburg since 1772. 03:17.622 --> 03:25.519 In fact, the lowest documented flow rate of the Elbe at the Magdeburg Strombrücke—the location under review—is not 03:25.519 --> 03:34.773 this year’s approximately 130 cubic meters per second, but rather 95 cubic meters per second from the year 1904. 03:34.773 --> 03:40.060 Let's take a closer look at the example year 1904. 03:40.060 --> 03:43.440 The Sächsische Zeitung published several photos related to this. 03:43.440 --> 03:50.020 Since we shouldn't compare the levels anyway, let's just compare the pictures instead. 03:50.020 --> 03:53.315 Here, too, you can see children swimming. 03:53.315 --> 03:59.202 People searching for treasures that had fallen into the river, and boats that their owners from Gag had 03:59.202 --> 04:02.731 pulled along the riverbank in horse-drawn carriages. 04:02.731 --> 04:07.020 Or here's a little game of skat under the bridge pier. 04:07.020 --> 04:12.851 The entire article in the *Sächsische Zeitung* describes the many small, special events taking place along the 04:12.851 --> 04:17.056 dried-up Elbe in a relatively cheerful and relaxed tone. 04:17.056 --> 04:25.239 Did people back then—without today’s caring and considerate media—simply not think far enough ahead to allow 04:25.239 --> 04:30.309 for the appropriate level of panic in such a situation? 04:30.309 --> 04:38.820 Here's a video from the "Catastrophic Year of Low Water Levels, 2025" for a direct visual comparison. 04:45.320 --> 04:53.720 If this year is the worst year since water level records began, why, the SZ asks: 04:53.720 --> 05:00.922 “Crossing the river now, despite its supposedly low water level, is extremely dangerous. But 05:00.922 --> 05:05.601 in 1904, even that was possible.” End of quote. 05:05.601 --> 05:13.600 The MDR also warns: “The police point out that the water level does not correspond to the actual water depth.” 05:13.600 --> 05:18.080 It is still not possible to cross the Elbe on foot. 05:18.080 --> 05:23.480 "Any attempts would be life-threatening due to the current." 05:23.480 --> 05:30.244 Oh, I see. Well, okay. The worst drying up of the Elbe was probably also a bit “asymptomatic” 05:30.244 --> 05:36.780 and not very noticeable, just like with COVID-19. 05:36.780 --> 05:44.181 This leaves us with the question: Why do our media outlets try to use every event—even one that’s only halfway relevant—to 05:44.181 --> 05:48.600 the climate crisis for the sake of our climate education? 05:48.600 --> 05:55.648 This question is explored in this excellent Kla.TV report, which I'd like to recommend to you here. 05:55.648 --> 06:02.216 A minor spoiler: This section clearly identifies the origins, the initiators, and the names of those profiting from 06:02.216 --> 06:05.992 this business model, and explains how the whole thing works. 06:05.992 --> 06:08.914 So check it out! Ciao.