The spatial differentiation of natural capital use among nations is a major forum for the discussion of measuring sustainability. In this paper,a modified model of 3D ecological footprint is employed as a tool to evaluate changes in the spatial distribution of natural capital use among G20 countries from 1999 to 2008,using the footprint size and footprint depth as two fundamental indicators for the measure of capital flows and stocks,respectively. The results illustrate significant spatial differentiation of the appropriation of natural capital flows between the eastern and western hemispheres,and of the depletion of natural capital stocks between the northern and southern hemispheres. This study identifies four main typologies of national natural capital use: both flows appropriated and stocks depleted increasing(two countries involved);both flows appropriated and stocks depleted decreasing(two countries involved);flows appropriated increasing and stocks depleted decreasing(four countries involved);and flows appropriated decreasing and stocks depleted increasing(eleven countries involved). There has been a major trend in G20 natural capital use that gradually the supply of natural capital flows is impeded while the demand for natural capital stocks is reinforced. In this case,we can draw a conclusion that Earth sustainability tends to deteriorate,and the inequities are aggravated between current generations of different countries and current and future generations of human beings. The analysis of footprint size and depth changes in spatial distribution enables a biogeographical interpretation of natural capital use, which plays an indispensable role in national competitiveness and potential for growth,as well as in the quality of human well-being. The indicators of footprint size and depth,in this sense,have the capability to collectively offer the global community an opportunity to rethink what kind of natural capital use should be pursued on which sustainable societal well-being depends.