Carbon Pirates Ahoy!

Indigenous folk account for only 5% of the Earth's human population. They are, however, important custodians of more than 80% of the planet's biodiversity. As one might predict, some populations are currently being ripped off by 'carbon pirates' (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/21/amazon-indigenous-communities-carbon-offsetting-pirates-aoe). The carbon offset market is worth $2bn and is growing. Carbon credits are said to be generated by tree planting and/or simply failing to cut existing trees. Rainforest locations (e.g. in Brazil or Peru), occupied by indigenous people, tend to be a focus. The 'carbon pirates' have been known, to pocket the money from the offsetters (big business, pretending to be carbon neutral). The rip-off merchants then get the indigenous folk to sign away their rights to any money (often by issuing contracts in English, a language the locals often don't comprehend). In other cases, the 'pirate's force the indigenous folk off their land and then collect the money for the credits. Some indigenous groups are now having to proactively educate themselves, to deal with the cheats. The carbon offset market, at the present time, is like the Wild West. It's basically 'greenwashing', often run by shysters? It certainly isn't helping to save the planet.