I like how nature environments have "untapped potential" if they're inhospitable to humans, even though they have tons of interesting/diverse creatures and fauna. Like, all the earth is here for is to squeeze out a few more acres of corn to raise beef
While Atlantropa is a silly idea, and lowering the level of the Mediterranean Sea is an invitation of disaster, the current through the strait of Gibraltar is quite substantially powerful, and most of the energy involved is currently dissipated. Without damming the strait or lowering the level of the Mediterranean, and with limited disruption to the ecosystem an enormous amount of stable hydropower could be generated there. The geography of the Mediterranean basin is really an incredible opportunity, that concentrates the Sun’s energy throughout the whole basin at the Strait.
