{"id":27810,"date":"2026-10-21T16:55:07","date_gmt":"2026-10-21T20:55:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/?p=27810"},"modified":"2026-10-21T16:55:31","modified_gmt":"2026-10-21T20:55:31","slug":"climate-action-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.kzoo.edu\/news\/climate-action-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Alumnus: Climate Action Begins with Small Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A user examines the Climate Action Now app.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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When a Climate Action Now user in Virginia learned through the organization\u2019s app that Utah had legalized plug-in solar panels, she decided to bring the idea to her own state. She contacted her legislators, advocated for the technology and helped make Virginia the second state to legalize it, according to the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Kalamazoo College alumnus Case Kuehn \u201974, that story illustrates what can happen when people have practical ways to act on their concerns. As a volunteer chief financial advisor for Climate Action Now, Kuehn helps the organization expand its reach and connect more people with opportunities to influence climate policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The organization says its app and advocacy tools have facilitated more than 5 million climate actions. Its approach makes participation manageable. After users complete each action, the app offers another, whether that means learning about an environmental issue, contacting elected officials or supporting legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPeople care, but they don\u2019t always know what to do,\u201d Kuehn said. \u201cThis gives you a place to start and it amplifies your voice.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Practical Purpose<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kuehn\u2019s path to climate advocacy took shape after retirement. He had long loved the outdoors, hiking in Maryland as a child and backpacking in Washington State after graduating from K. But he said his involvement with Climate Action Now grew from a broader concern about climate change and a desire to put his business experience to use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before joining Climate Action Now, Kuehn worked much of his career as a corporate turnaround specialist, helping to stabilize and rebuild financially distressed, underperforming or crisis-hit businesses. A music major<\/a> at K, Kuehn happily worked the last decade of his career as CFO of LOUD Audio LLC and as president of Martin Audio North America, both manufacturers of equipment for the music industry. He also helped fellow K alumnus Stephen Mohney \u201976 establish and organize Tech4Ghana USA, a nonprofit organization focused on education in rural Ghana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Mohney died and Tech4Ghana wound down, Kuehn began looking for another way to contribute. A friend introduced him to Climate Action Now\u2019s app, which he began using himself. When he saw a fundraising appeal from the organization\u2019s founder and CEO, Brett Walter, Kuehn offered to help. The pair had many conversations about how the organization could sustain and grow its work, leading Kuehn to accept the role of chief financial advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Climate Action Now operates as a California benefit corporation rather than a nonprofit, a structure Walter chose to preserve flexibility for advocacy and lobbying. That choice can make traditional charitable fundraising more difficult. Kuehn helped explore alternative funding, including equity investments to support the organization\u2019s operations and growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He has also taken on specific organizational projects. In 2025, Kuehn led the work to earn Climate Action Now certification as a B Corporation<\/a>, a designation that independently assesses companies\u2019 social and environmental performance, accountability and transparency. He sees the B Corp community as another place where the organization could connect with businesses that want to engage in advocacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Making Participation Easier<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Climate Action Now\u2019s app keeps users engaged by prompting them to take another meaningful step after each simple action it recommends. Users average about 10 actions per session, Kuehn said.

This year, the company launched its program in web browser format, called the CAN Action Carousel.  With just a few lines of code, schools, nonprofits, faith communities, businesses and other groups can host the carousel on their websites. The company provides this service at no charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tool provides climate-related actions and educational content, along with participation tracking, without requiring organizations to build their own advocacy tools. About 27 organizations have adopted the carousel, though its effectiveness depends on how actively each group promotes it.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Case Kuehn ’74<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Get Involved<\/strong> with<\/strong>
Climate Action Now<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Climate Action Now offers an app, educational resources and advocacy tools that help people learn about climate issues, contact elected officials and take part in campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n