Final answer:
Continents impact global temperatures through ocean and atmospheric circulation, contributing to the redistribution of heat across the planet. They act as heat sinks, absorbing and releasing heat, which along with ocean currents and the greenhouse effect, regulates the Earth's climate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Continents play a crucial role in maintaining global temperatures by affecting ocean and atmospheric circulation. These natural processes redistribute heat from the equator to the polar regions, consequently influencing global climate patterns. Additionally, continental positions influence major ocean currents, evaporation rates, and precipitation patterns that all contribute to the overall climate. Since the size of continents can also impact global precipitation and climate, continents generally act as heat sinks, absorbing and releasing heat to regulate temperatures.
The oceans contribute significantly to climate moderation by storing and transporting solar energy; this is why maritime climates often experience milder weather than continental climates, with less extreme temperature variations. When contemplating global warming, it is important to consider greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂), which trap heat in the atmosphere through the greenhouse effect, leading to a warming effect by preventing heat from easily escaping into space.
In essence, continents contribute significantly to the regulation of Earth's temperatures, not only by reflecting sunlight but more so by interacting with other climatic factors such as ocean currents, precipitation patterns, and the greenhouse effect. Therefore, the most accurate answer to the original question is option B: 'Continents act as heat sinks, absorbing and releasing heat to regulate temperatures.'