Climate Change - The Ocean's Role in Climate and Climate Change

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The oceans have always played a fundamental role in moderating global climate by transporting an excess of heat from the tropics to the poles. Today the oceans are moderating climate change by absorbing vast amounts of heat and carbon. Yet as the world's climate changes this moderating effect will be dramatically reduced. In addition, ocean circulation changes and temperature rises will have a profound impact on regional climate, sealevel, and other processes. This lecture will outline the ocean's role in global climate and climate change, both today, and into the future.