Check out this story on NPR about carbon offsets. Here's a short explanation from the site:

People who want to counterbalance the amount of carbon they emit are buying "carbon offsets." These offsets are used by companies to invest in renewable energy sources, such as solar.

Now, I think this is ridiculous on so many counts I can't count them all - my ideas come so fast and furious that I get Brain Bottleneck before I can get my fingers working to type them all out. (If you're curious, ask Russ. We've never discussed this matter, but I'm sure I know what he thinks about it, and I bet he's got a witty phrase or two in reserve for occasions such as this.)

Anyhow, the article states that the FTC is now getting in on the action because carbon offsets aren't regulated in the US, and "'Our concern is that because these claims are very hard to substantiate and consumers can't easily tell they're getting what they pay for, there is the real possibility of fraud in this market,' says Jim Kohm of the FTC's enforcement division."

*snicker*

Moi-meme, I think consumers are getting EXACTLY what they pay for . . .