Growing polarization around climate change on social media

Abstract Climate change and political polarization are two of the twenty-first century’s critical socio-political issues. Here we investigate their intersection by studying discussion around United Nations Conference Parties on Change (COP) using Twitter data from 2014 to 2021. First, reveal a large increase in ideological during COP26, following low between COP20 COP25. Second, show that this is driven growing right-wing activity, fourfold since COP21 relative pro-climate groups. Finally, identify broad range ‘climate contrarian’ views emphasizing theme hypocrisy as topic cross-ideological appeal; contrarian accusations have become key themes climate 2019. With future action reliant negotiations at COP27 beyond, our results highlight importance monitoring its impacts public discourse.