Cop26: Doctor pulls block of ice 400 miles to climate summit to show ‘time running out’ on climate crisis

‘This is my way of saying how worried I am,’ says Bristol medic

Jet McDonald is transporting a block of ice with him as he cycles to represent the melting ice caps (Jet McDonald / SWNS)

A doctor is cycling 400 miles to the Cop26 conference in Glasgow while towing a large block of ice to send a climate message.

Jet McDonald, 50, is transporting the ice block - intended to represent Earth’s melting polar ice caps - in a shopping basket wrapped in loft insulation.

He came up with the idea while cycling to work last month and is currently travelling across the country to present the prop to world leaders at the summit on Sunday.

The journey of more than 400 miles began on Monday and will take a week to complete with stopovers at supporters’ homes enroute.

Each host replenishes Mr McDonald’s ice block by putting a washing up tub of water in their freezer overnight.

Father-of-one Mr McDonald from Bristol said: “Essentially it’s a message to say time is running out.

“I think a lot of us are worried about climate change but aren’t sure what to do or how to make our voice heard.

“I thought towing an ice block would make a really strong, visual statement that might grab some attention.

“This is my way of saying how worried I am. By making a race against time with the ice block behind me.

“So far I’ve met quite a few people and had really good conversations about climate change from it.

“There was a man in his 70s who stopped for a chat and said he had noticed the seasons bleeding into one another, and not being as distinct as they were when he was younger.

“He then asked what was the point in changing if countries like Russia and China are refusing to pull their weight.

“I explained the UK should take a leadership role to help unrevolutionise essentially the Industrial Revolution.

“He gave me a fist pump and wished me luck so I think I may have got through to him.

“I met another woman from Birmingham who said she found the trip inspiring.

“It’s good to engage in the debate and not politicise it but have a grown up conversation.

“I’m stopping over in Stretford, Hale, Lancaster, Penrith, Moffat and then will arrive at the conference on Sunday.

After arriving at the Cop26 climate summit on Sunday, Mr McDonald says he will return to his home in Bristol via train.

Mr McDonald added: “By the end of it I think I will be pretty exhausted.

“I hope the message gets through to national and local government.

“If the world leaders and Boris Johnson want to accept my ice block then I will happily give it to them.

“Then we can have a discussion about how to make it melt less quickly.”

SWNS