A recent study in *Nature Communications* shows Arctic warming will significantly threaten polar cod habitats by 2100. Climate change-driven melting sea ice is increasing underwater light levels dramatically, by 75% to 160%. This increase disrupts plankton blooms, a vital food source for polar cod, especially in summer. Led by Trond Kristiansen, the study predicts polar cod will struggle to find suitable habitats in the Barents Sea and northern Bering and Chukchi Seas. The models project a grim future as their environments become less habitable.