Given below are two statements: One is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.

Assertion (A): Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are potent greenhouse gases.
Reasons (R): CFCs have the ability to catalytically destroy ozone in stratosphere.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below:

Correct option is B

Both assertions are true, but the reasoning does not fully explain the assertion. CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) are potent greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming by trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere. However, their role in ozone depletion in the stratosphere is a separate phenomenon, where they catalytically break down ozone molecules, leading to the thinning of the ozone layer. While CFCs are indeed harmful to both the climate and the ozone layer, the two issues are distinct.
Information Booster: CFCs were once widely used as refrigerants, propellants in aerosol cans, and solvents. Their ability to destroy ozone molecules in the stratosphere led to a significant depletion of the ozone layer, causing concerns about increased UV radiation reaching the Earth's surface. This prompted the signing of the Montreal Protocol in 1987 to phase out the production of ozone-depleting substances, including CFCs. Additionally, CFCs contribute to global warming due to their greenhouse gas properties.
· Assertion (A): CFCs are recognized as potent greenhouse gases, which means they contribute to global warming by absorbing infrared radiation in the atmosphere.
· Reason (R): CFCs destroy ozone in the stratosphere by releasing chlorine atoms that catalytically break down ozone (O3) molecules into oxygen (O2). This process contributes to the thinning of the ozone layer, which leads to increased UV radiation exposure on Earth.