We here present a literature-based overview of responses to climate change from a wide range of marine species in Nordic waters, from the Baltic, North, Norwegian and Icelandic seas, to the seas around Greenland and the Barents Sea. We also give a synopsis of input from a small, targeted group of Nordic managers and decision makers who describe which climate change related pressures they consider to be the largest treats to our marine ecosystems. While the pressures often are similar, responses may differ substantially between ecosystems. The Baltic Sea faces a combined threat from rising temperatures and decreasing oxygen levels. Reduced North Sea primary production may propagate through ecosystems causing trouble for fish, birds and mammals. In more northerly areas, the melting of sea ice will totally change the environment, detrimental to some species, perhaps favourable to others.