How do we Americans get our carbon offset programs 'certified' and credentialled so we can trade/ sell them?

Question

I know about the Kyoto issue and non-compliance. I also understand that there exists the Chicago Climate Exchange, so I see that people are in fact trading carbon offset "certs".

How do you get your carbon offsets officially certified? Are there any formally recognized authorities who set the standard by which all carbon offsets are evaluated, etc.?

If not, who will organize this formal body and make a universal standard for recognizing, certifying and credentialling carbon offset programs and activities?

Again, this is "America" only, and not the European model.

Detail and thoroughness earns 10 points, and thanks for caring about carbon offsets.

:)

Answer 1

Just send you money to al, he will take care of it.

Answer 2

I absolutely refuse to pay any such sort of "carbon credits" or "carbon offsets" since they will only go to Uncle Al and his private investors.  Paying any amount of money will not change what the weather does.  And I will not participate.

Answer 3

How can you infer that you care about the environment, and then support a carbon credits program which will basically allow the rich to pollute as much as they want?  If you really cared about the environment, wouldn't you want all people to stop polluting, regardless of their level of wealth?  I'm sorry, but you couldn't force me to buy carbon credits.  This is the most stupid idea to come along in a long long time.

Answer 4

It's like owning a buseness in  mob territory.

Pay the racketeers.

If the threat was real why should the elite get a ticket to pollute?(carbon credits).

I though we were all in it together but the elite want us to sacrifice while they jet off to Bali for a "conference" and drive their limos to their mansions when they get back.