Of what value are the oceans in moderating climate change?
A) Oceans remove about 25% to 30% of the atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by humans.
B) Oceans reflect sunlight back into space before the ultraviolet wavelengths are converted into infrared radiation.
C) Oceans absorb about 40% of the methane out of the atmosphere that has been produced by rice paddies and livestock.
D) Oceans help to reduce the level of water vapor in the atmosphere through condensation and transpiration.
E) All of these answers.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Oceans are valuable in moderating climate change because they remove about 25% to 30% of the atmospheric carbon dioxide produced by humans. This helps to reduce the amount of heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere, which can slow down the rate of climate change.

Answer: E
 All of the options presented in this question describe ways in which oceans are valuable in moderating climate change. Oceans help to reduce the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere (A), reflect some of the incoming sunlight back into space (B), and absorb methane (C), which is another potent greenhouse gas. Oceans also play a role in the global water cycle, which affects the distribution of water vapor in the atmosphere (D), and can influence climate patterns.

Of What Value Are the Oceans in Moderating Climate Change