Copyright (c) 2008 NewsTrust en-us Mon, 28 May 2012 00:28:29 -0700 http://www.newstrust.net/images/logos/newstrust-logo_20px.gif http://www.newstrust.net/topics/southwest_news/most_recent/news/independent http://www.newstrust.net/topics/southwest_news/most_recent/news/independent NewsTrust helps people find good journalism online. We rate the news based on quality, not just popularity. Our social news network features top-rated stories from hundreds of mainstream and independent sources. Find out more at http://www.newstrust.net/ Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 -0800 http://www.newstrust.net/stories/37038/toolbar?ref=rss http://www.newstrust.net/stories/37038/toolbar?ref=rss <span><a href="http://www.newstrust.net/sources/alternet?ref=rss">AlterNet</a> - By Joseph Romm - Feb. 02 (Special Report) - Australia has been suffering its worst heatwave on record, the first time temperatures exceeded 110 F for 3 days running. It’s been so hot that on Thursday, the low at Melbourne airport was 87 F. Australia is the canary in the coal mine for climate-driven desertification. The astonishing decade-long drought in southern Australia was declared ‘worst on record’ last year. My headline quote is from the UK’s Independent story, which notes: Australia, the driest inhabited continent on earth, is regarded as highly vulnerable. A study by the country’s blue-chip Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation identified its ecosystems as "potentially the most fragile" on earth in the face of the threat.</span><p><b>NewsTrust Rating: </b><a href="http://www.newstrust.net/stories/37038?ref=rss">4.3 average</a> (not enough reviews) - <a href="http://www.newstrust.net/stories/37038?ref=rss">See&nbsp;Reviews&nbsp;&raquo;</a> - <a href="http://www.newstrust.net/stories/37038/toolbar?ref=rss">Review It</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://www.newstrust.net/">Visit NewsTrust</a> | <a href="http://www.newstrust.net/about">About</a> | <a href="http://www.newstrust.net/partners/feeds/rss">Sign Up</a> | <a href="http://www.newstrust.net/about/disclaimer">Disclaimer</a></p> Environment Global Economy Global Warming Australia U.S. Economy Farming Sustainability Weather Food Southwest California Climate Change