September 2025 Changemaker: Nicole Scimeca

Congratulations to Park Ridge Maine South High School Graduate, Nicole Scimeca, a 2025 One Earth Film Festival Young Filmmaker Award Winner: Best Music Video.
​We recently asked Nicole about her work. Here's what she said:

I created a music video featuring the song Higher Ground.  It is about one person’s journey to make a difference.  I feel like many people don’t see the impact that they can make as an individual.  It’s really about solidarity and coming together for something. In this case the climate crisis. 

I have been following the environmental research about climate change for quite some time, it is something everyone should be concerned about.  I think filmmaking should always tell a story and have a real meaning to make some kind of a difference… and in this case I wanted the story to inspire others to take action.  You know, one person can bring a few people together and others hear and see that.  Then more groups come together, and then more groups come together, and eventually they can even do bigger things together like influencing political decision-makers and further impact change on a global level. I think in today’s world and regarding my generation, we are used to immediate results, it can make it hard to see the big picture and see what persistence & groups of people can do.  

I feel like we all have done things that impacted the planet, we can’t change that, but now is the time for redemption going forward. It’s not too late to educate ourselves to make changes, but supporting this kind of legislation needs to happen NOW. There is a point where the effects of climate change will be irreversible.  

We really are limited in our time, I don’t know if everyone gets that it is a pretty severe crunch time. People like my mom hadn’t heard about the Climate Clock before watching my video.  It is a really simple and tangible thing that I believe people can understand so they know how this is really a crisis.  They started the first in New York and they have them now all over the world in London, Rome, Seoul, Berlin, etc. The deadline tells us at the current rates of greenhouse gas emissions, we only have a certain amount of time in our “carbon budget” in order to limit the worst impacts of climate change.  At the deadline, we can’t reverse it.

One of my favorite parts is when my friends start rallying and appearing to multiply on the bikes. I love the visual representation and was so happy to have my friends involved. If I could have had hundreds of kids starting to appear in that part, I would have. I think it's super powerful. I would love for it to inspire the momentum needed for other teens as well.

Note: Go Green Park Ridge's Cindy Grau and Amy Bartucci attended the Global Awards Celebration on September 21, 2025 at the Davis Theater and met Nicole in person to congratulate her on her accomplishments. What a joy to see this artistry and activism from our community.

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