It is about more than just sustainability; It's about feeding the World.

Practically every retailing or food focused conference includes at least a half dozen sessions on sustainability. Companies large and small, and consumers democrats or republicans all seem to be aligned around the fact that unless we initial major efforts to help the environment, our plane and people are doomed.

However, what I do not see a lot of discussion around is just how we are going to keep the population of the plane fed. And there is no more important issue surrounding sustainability than that.

By 2050, the world's population is estimated to reach 9 billion, which is 40 percent higher than today's population. At the same time, the world's dietary interests are expected to continue changing. For example, since 1980, global production of meat has more than doubled. In the developing world, meat consumption has tripled. Production of meat and dairy, which are major dietary sources of protein, uses 30 percent of earth's land surface, 70 percent of agricultural land, and accounts for 8 percent of water use, mostly to irrigate feed crops.

I recently attended the Canadian Canola Council's Annual Meeting and met with very passionate farmers who quite effectively have increased their production output; but their passion did not come from increased volume - it came from their dedication to offering one of the healthiest oils to the world population. These farmers are looking at their crops holistically - and that is exactly what we need to do when it comes to putting sustainability into practice.

One of my concerns is as we look to be more sustainable, a lot of discussion is centered on "local". But the truth is that there are not enough foods grown or animals raised within 100 miles of every person on the planet to make local a reality. What we must do is to finally define what sustainability means for the food world, and then educate retailers, manufacturers and shoppers.

One aspect of sustainability that needs clarification and education is plant biotechnology. This, as I heard from the Canadian farmers, is the key to increasing productivity per acre, and not just in the United States or Canada. According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications, the total crop production gains globally for the four principal biotech crops (soybean, maize, cotton and canola) was 32 million metric tons in 2007, which would have required more than 20 million additional acres had biotechnology not been used. We will have to rely on smarter science to enhance productivity in a sustainable way. Simply producing more on the acre is just one component. The real goal should be using fewer key resources.

By achieving that goal, we'll be well positioned to help meet the growing food demands of our growing population, sustainably.