As much as 80 percent of Emperor Penguin colonies are threatened with extinction by the end of the century if we continue to emit greenhouse gasses at present levels. For Emperor Penguins, the primary impact of global warming is the loss of sea ice, their essential habitat. The species depends on the ice that extends out from the shore (known as “fast ice”) as a home base for breeding and raising chicks. Even during the non-breeding season, sea ice remains necessary as a platform from which they feed, molt, and seek refuge from predators.