He is perhaps best known for his discovery of the role played by the ocean in triggering the abrupt climate changes which punctuated glacial time, in particular the development and popularization of the idea of a global "ocean conveyor" linking the circulation of the world's oceans.
Han kendes måske bedst for sin opdagelse af den rolle oceanerne spillede i de pludselige klimaændringer der der forekom i istiden, især udviklingen og populariseringen af ideen om en global "oceanisk transportbånd" der forbinder alle verdens havstrømme.