>>5336517You make a mental note to ask why this talk has became so... international, later. For now, you brush off the dust from your oratory skills to kick off the talks. You stand, and the cameras immediately track your movement.
"My fellow Paneirans, today in the capital we are having an important talk in light of the recent protests. This talk might even determine Paneira's future - this concerns its ecology and economy, so I hope both sides of the debate will conduct themselves civilly. In turn, I, as your President, will present no bias towards one side or another."
You sit back down. "Then, let us start with the protestees. What is your grievances with the logging industry?"
The cameras' focus now alights on the ecocult representative, one charismatic foreigner named Jimmy Novelas. Smoothly, he starts, as if he's used to this kind of attention. "Thank you for the opportunity, Mr. President. I am here on the behalf of the Great Gaia, and she is telling us that the Baitros Rainforest is to be saved. Not only that it is the supplier of about 40% of the world's oxygen - you know, the stuff we breathe - it is also has the highest biodiversity in this hemisphere. Many flora and fauna live there, like the rare and iconic Jack's Blue Monkey. This biologically important place should be protected!"
Next comes the turn for the Baitros Indigenos elder, Chaamac, to speak.
"Thank you for honoring this old man to speak. I speak for the Winaqilal - in your tongue, Indigenos. The mighty Baitros has long been our people's home, not only where we live but also where we hunt for food. It is no mere place, it is a way of life - and most of us cannot survive in your city ways. Thus it is why we protest, to defend our home and way of life. So please, great Ajwach, spare us and our home, the blessings of the World Tree be upon you."
Then, it is Log Inc.'s representative, Daisy Karamazova's turn to talk. "Well, thank you for the opportunity, Mr. President. If I may?"
You nod, and a screen is brought in. She resumes talking as a pie chart titled GDP appears. "This is last year's publicly available data from the ministry of finances, but it shows clearly that Paneira is currently very reliant on logging as the basis of our economy. With slightly over half of our GDP relying on it, just imagine all the economical chaos if it was to be halted. Not only out of work loggers, but also the businesses and trade that relied on our lumber - such as the nation of Bordec. Thus it is economically unfeasible to just stop operations here and now, Mr. President."
