Water absorbs vast amounts of energy. Likewise bodies of water release energy very slowly. Areas near water are usually milder. Organic materials (such as plants and animals) tend to absorb more energy. Unlike a desert that holds it. Thus air temp. in a forest is usually cooler than the temp. in a desert.
Since land and water heat at different temperatures, the effects of this process creates climates. For instance, warm weather and moisture from oceans can create hurricanes. I hope this helps