What was the importance of the development of an inexpensive method for producing steel?

France and Great Britain were able to produce more ships than Germany.

this give both of these nations an advantage against Germany during the world war. But despite able to produce more ships and guns with cheaper price, the quality of the weapons and vehicles are considerably lower compared to 
Germany (the france and British army often ditched their own weapon in order to get weapons made by the Germans.

Desertification

Explanation:

"The loss of trees and other vegetation can cause climate change, desertification, soil erosion, fewer crops, flooding, increased greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, and a host of problems for indigenous people."