It was just one of a number of proposals tabled in an Early Day Motion put forward by Colin Challen MP, who is chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Climate Change Group.

The motion, which has the support of 45 MPs, asks the House to recognise there is a ,"climate emergency and that the catastrophic destabilisation of global climate represents the greatest threat humanity faces".

It goes on to demand action to reduce carbon emissions and there should be more investment in energy efficiency, public transport and renewable energy.

The bill also asks that domestic flights be phased out by the end of next year and that the national speed limit be reduced to 55mph.

It further suggests that at least two hours of prime time television per week should be used to, "explain the gravity of the crisis to the public".

The proposals are intended as a rallying cry ahead of this month's UN climate change summit in Copenhagen.

Very few Early Day Motions reach the stage of being debated in Parliament and they are mostly used to draw attention to issues and test the extent of parliamentary support for a particular cause.