Final answer:
Water's high specific heat helps regulate climate by absorbing heat and releasing it slowly, preventing extreme temperature changes and regulating ocean temperatures, which affects nearby land climates and also global climate through ocean currents.
Step-by-step explanation:
Water's ability to absorb and retain heat is crucial for regulating climate and temperatures on Earth, maintaining a habitable environment. The correct answer to the question, "Water can hold a lot of heat without changing its own temperature. In what ways does this help the earth?" is A) By regulating ocean temperatures.
Regulating ocean temperatures is essential as it moderates the climate of nearby landmasses. Large bodies of water like oceans have the ability to store heat during warm periods and release it slowly when the climate cools, leading to milder weather conditions and preventing extreme temperature changes. This property also moderates global climate by influencing ocean currents, which distribute heat around the planet.