Socio-semantic configuration of an online conversation space

In public debates, climate change communication tends to polarize into communities for and against the scientific basis of global warming. We analyze mention networks on Twitter around publication Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) Inter-governmental Panel Climate Change (IPCC) Working Group 2 3 reports that were published in March–April 2014. Building upon earlier research skepticism polarization debate, we focus relative prominence different types user accounts, terms engagement with other users their alignments towards change. distinguish a “heart” actively discussing IPCC from “shadow”, which more anecdotally mentions is likely correspond remainder space minimally interested IPCC-related reports. develop an original network analysis framework enables us deconstruct inner structure this heart’s strongly intertwined dynamics. Interesting observations relate position critical users, who are minority, but most engaged engaging arena, while media, casual governmental agencies occupy relatively less prominent positions. further qualify various structural positions by demonstrating they vocabulary specific This socio-semantic approach may be generally helpful disentangle semantic online conversation spaces where opposing poles precisely appear mixing.