Associated Press

@ap

HOUSTON – A bipartisan group of U.S. mayors on Monday unanimously approved a resolution pushed by Phoenix's Greg Stanton and two Texas mayors that calls on cities to use natural solutions to fight the effects of climate change.

Attendees of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in Dallas voted on the resolution, which encourages cities to use nature to "protect freshwater supplies, defend the nation's coastlines, maintain a healthy tree and green space cover and protect air quality," sometimes by partnering with non-profit organizations.

In addition to Stanton, the measure was floated by Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell and Houston Mayor Annise Parker, who like Stanton are also Democratic mayors from GOP-leaning states.

It passed easily even though Republicans and Democrats nationally remain deeply divided over how to deal with climate change. Although science shows that human industrial activity is contributing to global warming, some conservatives remain skeptical. And GOP governors have been critical of new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules designed to cut greenhouse-gas emissions from power plants.

On Sunday, EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy addressed the mayors at the conference, telling them they could turn the debate on climate change into a discussion about economics, public safety and health rather than strictly politics. Local action could also serve as an example to skeptical lawmakers at the state level, she argued.

"You have shown them what leadership on this issue can bring," McCarthy said.

Although the resolution only "encourages" steps rather than mandating action, environmentalists celebrated the vote.

"What's so significant is that there was a unanimous vote on an issue that can be so divisive," said Laura Huffman, director of the Nature Conservancy in Texas. "When you peel away the high-level arguments and deal with the ground-level issues, everyone just rolls up their sleeves and gets to work."

Mayors are looking for alternatives to traditional infrastructure projects that will be cost-effective and provide amenities.

For example, Huffman said, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is combining traditional pipes with open spaces as he revamps the city's storm-water collection system. These open spaces collect water much like pipes do, while also serving as parks.

"We're seeing that all over the country," Huffman said.

Stanton, who attended the conference over the weekend, was in Washington, D.C., on Monday courting party leaders who are planning the 2016 Democratic National Convention.