More than 5,100 people in Germany died from heat-related causes this year until the end of June, the Robert Koch Institute reports. But how can researchers prove that someone died because of soaring temperatures?

The 5,120 heat-related deaths in Germany in 2026 through June 28, published by the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), is therefore an estimate. But that does not mean the figure is pulled out of thin air. “It is based on a statistical correlation,” says Alexandra Schneider, a meteorologist, epidemiologist and deputy director of the Institute of Epidemiology at Helmholtz Munich.

  • atro_city@fedia.io
    261·
    3 days ago

    Let me guess, it reveals decades of under-financing the health sector and infrastructure in favor of taxing the middle and lower classes?

    Edit: yep! As expected by decades of rule by conservative governments and coalitions.

    • tardigrade@scribe.disroot.orgEnglish
      10·
      3 days ago

      Interesting view and maybe true, although from the article I can’t infer “decades of under-financing the health sector and infrastructure in favor of taxing the middle and lower classes” by “conservative governments and coalitions.”

      Climate related deaths increase not only in Europe but across the globe, not just in Germany and Europe. DW, the same source as the linked article, also reports that severe storms bring death and destruction in China.

      So what led to the deaths in other countries like those in China? Was is also under-financing at the cost of the middle and lower classes? (Official Chinese numbers don’t tell much as negative news about China are heavily censored, but independent scientists outside the country paint a devastating climate-related picture about China, too.)

      I don’t say everything is perfect in Germany, but headlines such as this one perfectly aligns with OP and other propagandists’ desired narrative (just look at OP’s post history], dragging down Western countries, sowing division, inciting hatred. It is easier then to portray autocracies - like China - as the better alternative.

      There is nothing in the linked article that supports the claim of “decades of rule by conservative governments and coalitions” that were “under-financing the health sector and infrastructure in favor of taxing the middle and lower classes”. But I argue that it is exactly why users like OP are posting such headlines.