In a major scientific breakthrough, climate researchers for the first time establish a connection between man-made pollution and natural disasters. The August 2003 heat wave in Europe, which killed tens of thousands across Europe, was mostly caused by environmental pollution...Heat shows no mercy. During the first two weeks of August 2003, between 22,000 and 35,000 more people died than would normally be expected in Europe. In France, where the greatest number of elderly died -- many patients in rest homes and other care centers -- the death rate rose by an astounding 54 percent. Estimates in Germany put the number of dead at around 7,000.