By the end of October, the Environmental Protection Agency will have completed a proposal requiring states to meet a new national standard for ozone levels in the air. The standard of 85 parts-per-billion of ozone chemicals in the air could be lowered up to 30 percent.

The Dallas-Fort Worth area has been breaking that standard for quite some time. What is surprising is the lack of action taken to try and improve not only the region’s emission levels, but also the university’s commitment to living green.

According to AIRNow.com, ozone, otherwise known as smog, can irritate the respiratory system and cause coughing, throat irritation, burning sensations and reduce lung function.

The university’s “Think Purple, Live Green” initiative last fall was well-intended, but permanent “green” programs and policies involving the university community have remained out of the spotlight, either because the initiatives are behind the scenes, or nothing is being done at all.

If anything, maintaining campus-wide recycling programs or promoting carpools would not only benefit Fort Worth, but also the students and faculty who try to save gas money in an unsteady economy. Carpooling has the potential to help save money, begin the day with friends or, for those who have trouble waking up in the morning, keep people on time. Being late in numbers because of traffic makes a better excuse than sleeping in by yourself.

Web editor Maricruz Salinas for the editorial board.