A new study published by a media watchdog group analyzes how the American News Media has downplayed global warming science, it’s consequences and that humans are responsible for the increase in greenhouse gasses.

The report compared US and UK headlines in the same time frame and found that while the UK presented climate change as a catastrophe that deserved urgent action, the US portrayed climate change as an ongoing debate with science that lacks certainty.

While the analysis is timely, it’s not really a surprise to regular readers of the blog or to Canadians who’s own media are getting better at focusing on peer reviewed science as opposed to industry funded contrarians. Watered down headlines take the pressure off of the US government to take a hard line stance on global warming action and according to Newsweek, Americans who believe that human caused global warming is a major threat, are still in the minority.