Scientists have revealed that climate change is not only posing threat to polar bears and Emperor penguins, but gingers as well. They have warned that increasing sunny skies will lead gingers to reach extinction. The gene that causes red hair plays a very important role in helping people get as much Vitamin D as possible. This is believed by scientists as an evolutionary response to cloudy skies.

However, rising temperatures and blazing sunshine across the British Isles will remove flaming red heads from the planet within centuries. The prevention of ginger is important considering the fact they are only 1% to 2% of the world's population. Their number is higher in the north of the UK because of suitable weather conditions.

A study carried out last year revealed that about 650,000 people have red hair and 40% of those living in Edinburgh are thought to carry the red hair/blue eye gene.

About 29% of the population is believed to have the gene in the North and West of the UK. Dr. Alistair Moffat, managing director of Galashiels-based ScotlandsDNA, said red hair in Scotland, Ireland and in the North of England is likely to be a way to get acclimatized to the climate.

"I think the reason for light skin and red hair is that we do not get enough sun and we have to get all the Vitamin D we can. If the climate is changing and it is to become more cloudy or less cloudy then this will affect the gene", said Moffat.

Another expert said the stage is set for the regressive gene to disappear in future as it is not adapted to a warm climate. Global warming is taking its effects on genes as well and red hair and blue eyes could become history because the genes responsible for them are dying slowly.