U.S. mayors gathered in Texas will decide whether to endorse a call for cities to use nature to fight the effects of climate change.
Attendees of the U.S. Conference of Mayors are set to vote Monday on a resolution encouraging cities to use natural solutions to "protect freshwater supplies, defend the nation's coastlines, maintain a healthy tree cover and protect air quality," sometimes by partnering with nonprofit organizations.
It's backed by Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton.
Since the resolution "encourages" steps rather than mandating action, Leffingwell believes it will easily be approved since it quickly passed through the committee Friday.
EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said the mayors could turn the climate change debate into a discussion about economics, public safety and health.
