Consumers Can Now Buy Carbon Offets Via Online Store

Individuals can now purchase carbon offsets to fund forest conservations projects in tropical countries via an online store created by the U.S. Agency for International Development and California-based advocacy group Code REDD.

The Stand for Trees website lets users buy certificates with their mobile phones. The money grossed will benefit 12 projects in Africa, Asia and South America. A $10 certificate will stop one metric ton of carbon dioxide from being released due to deforestation, according to the Associated Press.

"It's a start. If people can get on their cell phones, if we can develop a culture of offsetting footprints ... the hope is that we're starting something that over time will generate momentum," said Peter Natiello, USAID’s mission director in Colombia, told the AP.