The
scientific opinion on climate change is the overall judgment among scientists regarding whether
global warming is occurring, and (if so) its causes and probable consequences. This scientific opinion is expressed in
synthesis reports, by scientific bodies of national or international standing, and by surveys of opinion among climate scientists. Individual scientists, universities, and laboratories contribute to the overall scientific opinion via their
peer-reviewed publications, and the areas of collective agreement and relative certainty are summarised in these respected reports and surveys.