The ocean also regulates temperatures at different locations of the Earth. At the equator, the sun’s rays are more direct than at the poles. As a result, the waters there are warmer than waters at higher latitudes. However, currents in the ocean move water and the energy it contains. This circulation of warm water causes some coastal lands to have warmer climates than they would have without the currents. The British Isles, for example, have a warmer climate than most regions at the same latitude. This warmer climate is due to the warm water of the Gulf Stream.

How would the air temperature on land be different if the ocean did not release thermal energy so slowly?