Final answer:
Water's high specific heat capacity enables it to moderate Earth's climate, absorbing energy and reducing temperature fluctuations, which creates a suitable environment for life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The characteristic of water that impacts its role in moderating Earth's climate is its high specific heat capacity. This property allows water to absorb a lot of energy with little change in temperature, which helps to stabilize the climate by preventing extreme temperature fluctuations. Large bodies of water, like oceans, act as heat reservoirs; they store heat during warmer periods and release it during cooler periods.
Additionally, ocean currents distribute heat around the globe, further contributing to the moderation of the Earth's climate. This effect is particularly noticeable in coastal areas, which tend to have more moderate climates compared to inland areas that are subject to more extreme temperature variations.
The ability of water to stabilize temperatures is essential for life on Earth, as it maintains conditions within a range suitable for living organisms. This is one of the many unique properties of water that make it so vital for biodiversity and ecological systems.