Dont Shine On You Crazy Diamond Jewelers Slumpbypaul R La Monicahe ✓ Solved

Don't shine on you crazy diamond? Jewelers slump by Paul R. La Monica He didn't go to Jared! Or Kay. Or Zales.

Or even Piercing Pagoda apparently. Signet Jewelers ( SIG ), the company that owns these four shopping mall based brands, reported disappointing sales Thursday and a tepid outlook. The stock fell 10% on the news. The poor results come one day after high-end jeweler Tiffany ( TIF ) also reported sluggish quarterly earnings. Shares of Signet and Tiffany have each plunged nearly 20% this year.

An analyst who follows Signet and Tiffany thinks investors may be overreacting to the latest earnings reports as well. "People are worried about the short-term. It may be overdone though. These are solid businesses," said Paul Swinand, an analyst with Morningstar. But Tiffany and Signet are not the only ones in the business of bling that are struggling.

Richemont ( CFRUY ), the parent company of Cartier, is also down almost 20%. Online jewelry retailer Blue Nile (NILE) is down 30% as well. The lone exception is Danish jeweler Pandora A/S ( PNDZY ) -- not to be confused with the online radio company . Pandora A/S is up 20% this year and the company reported strong sales and a solid outlook earlier this month. All of the jewelry retailers could be in trouble if precious metal prices continue to rally.

Gold, silver and platinum prices are up substantially year-to-date. It may be tough passing on those costs to consumers. Many may be tapped out. At the very least, they are being more cautious -- both in the U.S. and around the world. "We attribute the overall lower sales to softness in domestic customer spending in many U.S. markets as well as lower spending by foreign tourists of many nationalities in New York," said Tiffany vice president Mark Aaron on a recorded call for investors.

To be sure, shoppers are still spending to spruce up their homes, as evidenced by strong earnings from Lowe's ( LOW ) and Home Depot ( HD ). Deep discounters Dollar General ( DG ) and Dollar Tree ( DLTR ) also wowed Wall Street with their latest earnings. Their stocks surged on the news. That could be a sign of how nervous consumers are though. Many apparel retailers, many of whom are mall tenants just like Signet's big brands, are also struggling.

Gap ( GPS ), Macy's ( M ), Nordstrom ( JWN ), J.C. Penney ( JCP ) and Target ( TGT ) are among the many big retailers to post lousy numbers recently. Sears ( SHLD ) and teen clothing retailer Abercrombie & Fitch ( ANF ) also reported weak results on Thursday. Many experts think that the rise of online retail -- specifically the dominance of Amazon ( AMZN ) -- is to blame for many of the troubling sales reports from brick-and-mortar stores. But for what it's worth, Signet CEO Mark Light isn't buying that argument.

"Signet is relatively Amazon-proof as consumers have consistently shown a desire to touch jewelry and get educated by trusted and trained professionals before making a highly emotional purchase," he said during a conference call with analysts. A stock can be a highly emotional purchase too though. And right now many investors seem to be showing more fear than greed when it comes to Signet, Tiffany and other jewelers. 1 ENVSCI 122 Spring 2019 Environmental Issues Assignment (See syllabus for due dates – organized by last name) (Note: The number of paragraphs is simply suggested. You may write more if you would like.) Each student will select an environmental issue of interest and describe: 1.

What the environmental issue is: (1â€2 paragraphs) a. Why is it happening b. Who/what is impacted c. Where the issue is taking place 2. Two policies or management strategies in developed (or developing) to address the environmental issue. (2â€4 paragraphs) For each one, describe: a.

How the policy/management strategy addresses the environmental issue b. How the policy/management strategy is being implemented c. Who the stakeholders are d. What the status of the policy/management strategy is (e.g., in development, implemented, under review) 3. Whether or not, in your opinion, the policies/management strategies are working?

Why/Why not? (1â€2 paragraphs per policy or management strategy) You will hand in the written assignment on the day marked on the syllabus for your last name. Also, I will ask for a few volunteers to give brief (2â€4 minute) descriptions of their issues and the relative policy and management strategies. If no one volunteers, I will call on students to present, so please be ready to participate. Below are some examples of environmental issues to select from, but you are welcome to pick one that is not on the list: ï‚· Deforestation ï‚· Extinction of a particular species ï‚· Eutrophication ï‚· Overfishing ï‚· Marine debris ï‚· Invasive species

Paper for above instructions

Environmental Issue: Plastic Pollution in Oceans

One of the most pressing environmental issues currently facing our planet is plastic pollution in our oceans. This issue is happening due to the overwhelming generation of plastic waste, which is not being adequately managed or removed from the environment. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), approximately 300 million tons of plastic waste are generated each year, and a significant portion of this ends up in our oceans (UNEP, 2018). Various studies estimate that about 8 million tons of plastic waste flow into the oceans each year (Jambeck et al., 2015).
The impact of plastic pollution is widespread; it affects marine life, ecosystems, and human health. Marine animals often ingest plastics or become entangled in it, leading to injury or death. According to a report from the World Economic Forum (2016), nearly 700 species worldwide are affected by marine debris, primarily plastics. The effects extend to human health as well, as microplastics have been found in seafood, posing potential health risks to people who consume these contaminated products (Smith et al., 2020). This issue is taking place globally, but some of the most affected regions include the coastal areas of Southeast Asia, where waste management systems are less developed, as well as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, an area in the North Pacific Ocean teeming with plastic debris.

Policies and Management Strategies

Strategy 1: The European Union’s Plastics Strategy

The European Union (EU) has proposed a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing plastic waste, aptly dubbed the European Plastics Strategy. This strategy includes initiatives to reduce plastic waste, promote recycling, and ultimately transition towards a circular economy. According to the European Commission (2018), the strategy aims to ensure that by 2030 all plastic packaging in the EU is reusable or recyclable.
The implementation of this strategy focuses on developing legislation that incentivizes recycling initiatives while also banning certain single-use plastics. This employs a multi-pronged approach involving various stakeholders including governments at all levels, businesses, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The status of this policy is ongoing; while it has been adopted, certain measures are still being developed and evaluated (European Commission, 2019).
The success of this strategy is contingent upon adherence from member states and their citizens. As stated by Steiner (2019), a significant challenge remains in altering consumer behavior and ensuring the proper facilities are available for recycling efforts. However, the strategy has seen positive progress, with increased public awareness leading to greater community participation in recycling initiatives.

Strategy 2: The Global Plastic Pollution Treaty

Another critical management strategy is the pursuit of a Global Plastic Pollution Treaty, initiated by the United Nations. Given that plastic waste is a global issue, a unified international effort is deemed necessary to effectively combat the matter. The goal of this treaty is to establish binding commitments from nations to reduce plastic production and improve waste management (UNEP, 2021).
The treaty will address several key points including reducing the production of virgin plastics, improving waste management systems, and promoting alternatives to single-use plastics. The implementation of this strategy is currently in the negotiation phases, involving diverse stakeholders such as member states, civil society, and industry representatives (UNEP, 2021).
While the development of the treaty suggests a desire for action on a global scale, several critiques have emerged regarding its efficacy. According to Jambeck et al. (2021), the effectiveness of such a treaty will largely depend on nations' commitments to enforce conditions and hold signatories accountable. Further, barriers exist in reconciling differences in capabilities and priorities between developed and developing nations.

Assessment of Policies and Strategies

Effectiveness of the EU Plastics Strategy

The European Union's Plastics Strategy is showing promise in addressing plastic pollution. Projections suggest that by enforcing stringent regulations on single-use plastics, the EU can decrease plastic pollution dramatically by encouraging alternatives and enhancing recycling systems (Terranova et al., 2019). Additionally, public support for such initiatives has increased, indicating a successful shift in public opinion toward sustainable practices.
However, challenges remain in ensuring all member states comply fully with the proposed policies. Compliance varies widely, which can undermine the overall effectiveness of the strategy. Local governments' inability to fund effective waste management systems is one substantial burden, especially in economically disadvantaged areas (Nielsen et al., 2020).

Effectiveness of the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty

The Global Plastic Pollution Treaty has potential, but its effectiveness remains uncertain. The treaty's success hinges on global cooperation and commitment from nations, which historically has been a significant hurdle in international agreements (Ghosh, 2021). If nations adopt specific, actionable targets with enforceable consequences, the treaty could lead to substantial progress in reducing plastic pollution.
Moreover, this treaty aims to involve creative solutions that transcend geographical and economic boundaries, making it a far-reaching initiative. On the flip side, critics argue that without enforceability, the treaty may merely serve as a discourse rather than a catalyst for real change (Lebreton & Andrady, 2019). While the initiative showcases a commitment to addressing a global crisis, its practical implementation remains to be seen.

Conclusion

Plastic pollution in oceans remains a significant environmental issue, affecting marine ecosystems and human health. Both the EU’s Plastics Strategy and the ongoing efforts toward a Global Plastic Pollution Treaty are commendable steps taken to tackle this challenge. While these strategies show promise, their effectiveness will ultimately depend on collaboration among stakeholders, effective enforcement, and shifts in consumer behavior toward sustainability.

References

1. European Commission. (2018). European Plastics Strategy. Retrieved from [link]
2. European Commission. (2019). Implementation Progress Report. Retrieved from [link]
3. Ghosh, A. (2021). The complexities of international treaties on plastics. Marine Policy, 124, 104398.
4. Jambeck, J. R., Geyer, R., Wilcox, C., et al. (2015). Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean. Science, 347(6223), 768-771.
5. Jambeck, J. R., et al. (2021). A global treaty for plastic waste. Nature, 592, 194-196.
6. Lebreton, L. C. M., & Andrady, A. L. (2019). Future scenarios of global plastic waste generation and disposal. Palgrave Communications, 5(1), 1-11.
7. Nielsen, T. D., et al. (2020). Challenges in plastic waste management. Waste Management, 113, 247-259.
8. Smith, P. J., et al. (2020). Microplastics in food chain: Potential risks and exposure. Frontiers in Nutrition, 4, 10.
9. Steiner, A. (2019). Engaging citizens for waste management. Journal of Environmental Management, 234, 167-177.
10. United Nations Environment Programme. (2021). Global Plastic Pollution Treaty Update. Retrieved from [link]