The power P emitted by a black body at absolute temperature T is given by the Stefan – Boltzmann law:
P=\left({\frac{T}{64.5}}\right)^{4}\mathrm{~W/m^{2}~}
Calculate P for an average temperature of −18°C on the earth (which would be the case if no greenhouse effect exists) and for a temperature of 15°C (that with the natural greenhouse effect). Evaluate the power absorbed by the greenhouse effect.
Applying the Stefan–Boltzmann law to the two temperatures (−18°C = 255.15 K and 15°C = 288.15 K), we get respectively P values of 245 W/m² at −18°C and 398 W/m² at 15°C. The difference, 153 W/m² , is the power absorbed by the atmosphere due to the green-house effect.