The following options are correct:
Absorbing the majority of the sun's energy: Oceans absorb approximately 90% of the sun's energy, making them an important part of the Earth's energy balance.
Driving weather patterns: The oceans play a significant role in driving weather patterns. For example, warm ocean currents can influence the formation of hurricanes, while cold ocean currents can affect the distribution of sea ice.
Distributing heat around the globe: Oceans are an important part of the Earth's climate system and help to distribute heat around the globe. Ocean currents, in particular, can transport warm water from the equator towards the poles, helping to regulate global temperatures.
Option 3, "Keeping the equator region cold," is not correct. The equator region is actually one of the warmest regions on Earth, due to its proximity to the sun and the low angle at which the sun's rays strike the Earth's surface. The oceans do play a role in regulating temperatures at the equator, but they do not keep the region cold.