“Renewables,” “biofuels,” “research,” “better marketing.” These are some of the words that Washington University students used to describe ways the University could achieve a higher level of sustainability on campus.

About 40 students gathered in the Danforth University Center on Monday evening to celebrate Green Action’s kickoff of Renew WashU, a new initiative to get the University to switch over to renewable energy.

Students attending the event took part in interactive arts activities, and listened to speakers, including one from the Sierra Club.

Green Action co-president Claire Christensen said that the group started the Renew WashU initiative in response to a new University task force aimed at discussing renewable energy.

“We want the campus to use 100 percent renewable energy in the future,” Christensen said.

These energy choices would include wind and solar energy.

Christensen said that although this number might be difficult to reach, the University does have the ability to achieve the goal.

Sustainability Director Phil Valko said that the University taskforce is still in the planning stages, but that it’s main goal will be to create a renewable energy plan for the University.

But, even with the new University task force supported by student involvement, not all students think it is feasible for the University to switch to 100 percent renewable energy.

“I don’t know if it’s possible to have everything be renewable. Not 100 percent, but maybe close to it, like 50 percent,” freshman Mari Price said.

Some students doubt that the group will meet its goal, because sustainability is not a top priority for many students.

“Even though the campus is going green I think there is a lot that can’t be done. People aren’t going to want to pay for a renewable campus when there are other things that are probably more necessary,” junior Alyssa Stein said.

Others said that the cost of making the switch may be prohibitive.

“That would require a lot of infrastructure changes and probably would not be cost effective,” senior Ali Hruschka said.

According to Valko, although the goal may be difficult to reach, it does provide a good incentive.

“I think it’s a big bold goal. It’s going to take an awful lot to achieve a goal like that. I think it’s important for us to be setting big goals but we’re in a short time frame,” Valko said.

Still, Christensen is optimistic about the University’s ability to become more sustainable.

“We want to work with the administration so that it is not just words but actual actions. We know that 100 percent is a lot, but we think Washington University has the capacity and the obligation to do it,” she said.