Faint Young Sun Paradox
q Solar luminosity was much weaker
(~30%) in the early part of  Earth’s
history (a faint young Sun).
q If Earth’s albedo and greenhouse
effect remained unchanged at that
time, Earth’s mean surface
temperature would be well below the
freezing point of water during a large
portion of its 4.5 Byr history.
q That would result in a “snowball”
Earth, which was not evident in
geologic record.