2006-12-27 07:00:21 · 4 answers · asked by Lily 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
The simple answer is warm water and cold water get moved around, warming and cooling regions that normally would not get those temperatures.
The most famous example is the Gulf Stream, which brings warm Gulf of Mexico water to Northern Europe, keeping it warmer. A change in climate could shift this, causing Northern Europe to cool.
2006-12-27 07:04:45 · answer #1 · answered by QFL 24-7 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ocean currents move energy (in the form of heat), nutrients (in the form of miscroscopic plant and animal life) and moisture around the globe. If the currents shift or stop, warm moist air that makes one area fertile farm land may go elsewhere, and the crops that once grew there may no longer grow, causing famine. The lack of moisture can cause a drought. The loss of the warmth may cause localized longer, colder winters.
2006-12-27 07:09:53 · answer #2 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The warm and cool waters they carry will affect the air temperature in the areas through which the currents travel.
2006-12-27 07:03:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ocean Currents redistribute warmth international. and because warmth is the Engine that runs the "climate gadget", they performs a extensive functionality in who get What climate, the place, Why, & How... :)
2016-12-11 17:04:09 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋