Rich countries are preparing to pay poor countries in exchange for carbon credit to save forests. Looks pretty? Think again. Why should the poor country not use their land, including forests, the way they would like? Why not the rich countries re-purpose some of their own land - like the corn fields and 18 acres of land at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue for carbon offsets?
If the corn field owner and the owner of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue feel that their home/livelihood is disturbed - well, they would be correct. So, would the poor person having their livelihood is taken away....
I am not a proponent for deforestation - I feel exactly the opposite. All I am concerned is rich people making poorer people pay for the rich's mistakes and arrogant use of the earth.
Some times, paying the poor too can make them further poor - by making them beg. The riches need to pay as fine in the name of 'fine' for their bad addiction / behavior. The payment should come in the form of reducing their own carbon foot print - say walking to work for one week by every one in a town. Dry their cloths in cloth line. Stop buying new cloths for the next 4 years - until you had to wear torn cloths for your wedding and it is acceptable in the society (sorry if you are offended...).