Introduction

The Earth, as we know it, is a dynamic balance of landmasses and oceans. However, the question of what the weather and climate would be like if the entire planet were covered by ocean without any surface landmass is fascinating and deeply instructive. This article explores this hypothetical scenario, examining its impact on climate and human (and non-human) evolution.

The Impact of a Fully Oceangoing Earth on Climate

It is crucial to understand that the weather and climate of an Earth covered entirely by oceans would significantly differ from its current state. The primary factor is the higher humidity and the prevalence of maritime conditions.
Earth would be warmer overall due to the absorption of solar radiation by the vast expanse of water, as opposed to the land masses. Land masses tend to radiate more energy back into space, which keeps their temperature higher compared to oceans. However, the oceans hold onto this heat more effectively, thus warming the entire planet.
It is also worth noting that the distribution of land masses across the Earth plays a role in its climate. Currently, the northern hemisphere holds about 2/3 of the landmasses, which affects the planet's energy balance. Due to the varying distance from the sun, Earth's energy balance oscillates, leading to gradual changes in temperature. This means that our planet has been getting colder for the past 8000 years and will continue to do so for the next 8000 years.

Evolving a Fully Aquatic Life

The consequences of a fully oceanic Earth would extend to the evolution of life itself. For instance, if the entirety of the Earth's surface were covered by oceans, it is challenging to imagine how humans and land animals would evolve. The hypothesis suggests that such a scenario would likely result in people remaining sea dwellers with no evolutionary incentive to become land animals.
In a fully aquatic environment, there would be no natural selection pressure for developing the complex structures and systems necessary for terrestrial living. This could result in the absence of certain traits, such as the ability to walk or even the need for a vocal language. Instead, language might develop in the form of sounds in water, similar to that of dolphins or whales. Our sensory and cognitive abilities might evolve around the aquatic environment, including the development of sonar for "seeing" our surroundings. This could lead to an entirely different form of intelligence and communication, one not based on the visual or auditory senses familiar to us.
The idea of an "aquatic Einstein" or the use of mathematics in an entirely aquatic environment could be vastly different. Mathematics as we know it might not be as relevant or useful in an aquatic world. Instead, concepts more closely related to fluid dynamics, tide patterns, and environmental interactions would be more pertinent. The architectural structures of these advanced aquatic species might be quite different, focusing on stability and safety in fluid environments.

Scientific Implications and Further Considerations

This hypothetical scenario not only provides a fascinating glimpse into the possible future of Earth but also has significant implications for our understanding of climate and evolution. It challenges us to think about how life adapts to changing environmental conditions and the fundamental differences between terrestrial and aquatic environments.
Considering the vast distance between land and ocean in terms of temperature regulation, it is possible to explore further how different habitats might support diverse life forms. The hypothesis prompts deeper reflection on the role of geographical and climatic factors in shaping the evolution of species and their potential cognitive and physical adaptations.

Conclusion

The Earth, given its current balance between land and ocean, is a complex and intricate system. The projection of a fully oceanic Earth provides a rich ground for exploring scientific and evolutionary hypotheses. It is a compelling thought experiment that deepens our understanding of climate and the diverse potentialities of life on our planet.