How the oceans influence climate?
Source: Climate Change Factsheets of Information Unit on Climate Change (IUCC)-UNEP, 1993 Source: NASA: The Earth Observing System Terra Series-EOS Terra mission: www.terra.nasa.gov Oceans and the atmosphere are the most dynamic component of the climate system. Changes in external factors such as the sun’s energy, the distribution of various plant species, and the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmospherecan alter the temperature and circulation patterns of the atmosphere-ocean system. Because the atmosphere and oceans are turbulent, they can also generate their own internal fluctuations. Short-term fluctuations in wind or temperature can directly influence the currents and temperature of the underlying ocean, while oceanic fluctuations can magnify, diminish, or modify atmospheric fluctuations. Since the 1960s, scientists have developed sophisticated climate models to help them understand the oceans role in moderating climate. Yet many questions remain unanswered. • Does the oce
