Very few people live in the Sahara. However, to your larger point, many people live in Europe and the Middle East, and being able to power their cities could in

Very few people live in the Sahara. However, to your larger point, many people live in Europe and the Middle East, and being able to power their cities could in turn obviate the need to emit quite a large amount of CO2, potentially affecting the entire planet in a positive way. I would give up some portion of the Sahara (up to all of it) if it meant the planet doesn't warm 4 degrees. Of course that's easy for me to say -- I don't live there. :/