10.1k views
4 votes
What changes in global temperatures might occur if Earth had substantially more land and less ocean area than at present? How would this affect where you live? How might such changes influence the biosphere?

1 Answer

2 votes

Final answer:

Global temperatures and climate patterns would become more extreme with more land and less ocean. The local changes would depend on geography, potentially affecting resources, weather patterns, and habitat. The biosphere would see increased CO2 levels and accelerated global warming, with significant impacts on species, agriculture, and sea levels.

Step-by-step explanation:

If Earth had substantially more land and less ocean area than at present, we would expect several changes in global temperatures and climate patterns. Oceans have a moderating effect on the world's climate because they absorb and store large amounts of heat. More landmass would mean less heat being absorbed, thus potentially leading to more extreme weather conditions, hot and cold, depending on the region and season.

Changes in where you live would depend on the specific geography of your region. If you live in a coastal or island region, the effect might be more pronounced as these are often more influenced by the ocean's moderating effects than interior regions. Furthermore, an increase in land mass could lead to habitat loss, changes in local weather patterns, and a potential decrease in the availability of certain resources, like seafood.

The biosphere would be significantly affected by these changes. With less ocean to absorb CO2, the levels of carbon dioxide could increase, enhancing the greenhouse effect and accelerating global warming. This could impact the growth and survival of various species, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, and could lead to a rise in sea levels due to the melting of polar ice caps. It would also have a knock-on effect on agricultural production, potentially altering the types of crops that can be grown in various regions.

User Haael
by
8.5k points