High Specific Heat
A calorie is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of 1 gram of water 1 degree Celsius. The many hydrogen bonds in water allow it to absorb heat without a great change in temperature. It requires a lot of energy to raise the temperature of water. Conversely, water also holds onto its heat and its temperature falls more slowly than that of other liquids. Because the temperature of water rises and falls slowly, organisms are better able to maintain their normal internal temperatures and are protected from rapid temperature changes.
You can see this ability of water when comparing the temperatures of various places on earth. On coastal cities, the water allows for more moderate changes in temperature between day and night. The daytime temperature may reach as high as 90 degrees on the beach but at night, the slow release of heat from the water keeps the temperature from varying dramatically. The nighttime temperature may drop to 70 degrees. However, in the desert, the daytime temperature may also reach 90 degrees while the nighttime drops to 30 degrees. There is no water to slowly release heat back into the air and regulate the temperature.
In the image below, you can see how during the day, the water may take longer to heat up than land. In the evening, the water takes longer to release its heat. The heat rising from the water heats the air above it and that air heats the land nearby. This is what causes coastal breezes.
You can see this ability of water when comparing the temperatures of various places on earth. On coastal cities, the water allows for more moderate changes in temperature between day and night. The daytime temperature may reach as high as 90 degrees on the beach but at night, the slow release of heat from the water keeps the temperature from varying dramatically. The nighttime temperature may drop to 70 degrees. However, in the desert, the daytime temperature may also reach 90 degrees while the nighttime drops to 30 degrees. There is no water to slowly release heat back into the air and regulate the temperature.
In the image below, you can see how during the day, the water may take longer to heat up than land. In the evening, the water takes longer to release its heat. The heat rising from the water heats the air above it and that air heats the land nearby. This is what causes coastal breezes.