Te = [ Fs (1-albedo) / (4*sigma)]1/4where sigma is the Stefan Boltzman constant and albedo is the percent of sunlight reflected by the Earth.
If we replace Fs by .7*Fs, we find that Te becomes 233 oK rather than 255 oK. If the emissivity of the atmosphere remains unchanged (0.75) the surface temperature is given by a basic greenhouse calculation at 262oK. Moreover, the greenhouse effect due to water vapor was probably considerably less than it is today as the cooler atmosphere presumably held considerably less moisture and therefore the emissivity would probably be less than 0.75.
How then could liquid water exist
over much of Earth as suggested by geologic evidence?
One explanation is that a stronger greenhouse effect
existed due to elevated levels of CO2 due
to active levels of early volcanism which releases CO2
into the atmosphere. Over time, weathering and the oceans may have removed
large portions of CO2 from the atmosphere
and our present climate state may have evolved.