Carbon Off-Setting: Good / Bad?

Carbon off-setting has become big business. Just look at the number of new websites. Breeding as fast as people, almost, at least they haven't over populated the net yet like people have the planet. It makes me question though, are they for real?

How many of them are scams?
How many are really off-setting your carbon or pocketing some easy money?
How are they off-setting? With trees? How fast are they planted and who is making sure they survive and should some of them die, will they be replaced?
If wind energy (no one seems to be pushing Photovoltaic or other green energy) is bought, is there enough out there to buy and if all of it is bought up, then what?
Who the hell is oversee all this? Who is making sure all these calculators and off-setting is for real, trustworthy or is everyone calculating a different amount of carbon?

I am not trying to rain on everyone's parade, but the U.S. is the land of scams, hucksters and thieves. You just have to check the news and almost every month, somewhere in the U.S. someone was caught taking advantage of someone or lots of someone's.

Check out the organization before giving any money. Ask lots of questions. I really mean this and ask intelligent questions. If your unable to determine if the organization is legit, keep searching. Remember to plant your own trees, buy Compact Florescent bulbs, drive less and walk more often (it'll be better for your health and prevent disease), and buy things, especially food, that is grown or produced locally - you wont believe how many thousands of miles some things are shipped.

I do have to say, there are a number of trustworthy groups out there to help you off-set the carbon you produce each year. It is a good idea, overall. Just remember, it is better to first reduce your carbon footprint, the amount you produce each year, and then off-set the rest.

Do your part, but don't give your money to a huckster and if you do, it's your own fault.