Assume that on average the earth absorbs 239 watt/m2 of radiative energy from the sun. [This is the number reported by climate scientists who study this topic.] Assume that the earth surface emits radiation according to the Stefan-Boltzmann relationship: Emission = (5.67 X 10-8) T4 watt/m2, where T is the average earth temperature in Kelvin. (1) If the average earth temperature is 60F, calculate the energy being emitted by the surface of the earth in watt/m2 and the energy being captured by greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. (2) Use the number calculated in (1) above for the amount of energy captured by greenhouse gasses and increase this number by 3% to simulate an increase in the amount of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere. Calculate the temperature increase of the earth.

[Answer: 0.845C or 1.52F. If the atmosphere were to absorb 3% more infrared radiation than is currently does, the average earth temperature would increase by 1.52F.]