It has been decided that Clean Air Action Day will now be observed on the first Friday of summer, which means June 26 this year, instead of July 7 as it has been in the past. This is the day when North Texans do at least one extra thing for clean air.Whether it’s changing how we get to work, adjusting Friday night plans or starting the weekend early with a trip to the lake, there is we all can do to reduce ozone pollution.

A nine-county DFW area was originally designated a moderate nonattainment area under the 1997 eight-hour ozone quality standards, and was subsequently reclassified as a serious nonattainment area in 2011. Counties includeDallas, Denton, Collin, Ellis, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall and Tarrant. The majority of ozone emissions in the DFW area come from on-road mobile sources such as cars and trucks, and non-road mobile sources such as construction equipment, aircraft and locomotives.

Suggested actions include carpool or vanpool, use mass transportation, bike or walk, telecommute, take lunch to summer activities or work, maintain consistent driving speed by avoiding quick accelerations and hard braking, avoid idling and switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs.

To make a Clean Air Action Pledge and get more information,visit AirNorthTexas.org.