Cancun's eroding white sand beaches are providing a note of urgency to the climate talks in the resort city.

Booming tourism has brought along mangrove deforestation in the area, leaving it more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

The beauty of nature in Cancun helps feed the local population. Tourists from all over the world pay to witness this pristine area.

Jose Povedano has lived here all his life. But his tour guide says things have changed since global warming began to affect his paradise.

Jose Povedano, Tour Guide, said, "We are worried about climate change because it impedes our work. It impedes everybody. Now we don't have work. Sometimes we have work and it's cold. And it also happened when it's too hot. We don't know what's going to happen ahead."

Toursit resorts are eroding the coastlines. The situation is also getting worse with a rising sea-level, growing at a rate of about two meters a year.

For centruies, these mangroves have cleansed the water and fed its reefs. Their roots careate the ecosystem that supports this rich ocean.

But these pctures show how hotels have replaced the forests. Environmentalists are concerned.

Mangroves have been protected under Mexican law since 2006.

But the law is not retroactive. That means companies that got permission to build on mangrove lands before 2006 can still do it.

People are enjoying the beaches like ever before, without fears that the tides may wash away the sands over time.

(CCTV December 6, 2010)