Sea level rise: A plea for taking the viewpoint of the ocean

Sea levels have risen an average of 1.5 mm/y over the twentieth century and are predicted to further rise by 2100, in particular under the SSP5–8.5 scenario. Although the consequences of rising sea levels for coastal areas have been observed, predicted, and discussed in the literature, the concerns predominantly addressed are understandably issued from a land-centric perspective. Little consideration has been devoted to systematically studying the consequences of submersion for the sea itself . We suggest that the viewpoint of the ocean should be included in future research and policy-making, inviting the coordination of three main research areas: 1. What parts of land will be submerged? 2. What human infrastructure and non-human features will be reclaimed by the sea? 3. What kind of effects will the submerged infrastructure and features have on the marine environment and its inhabitants? We detail some models and challenges, and advocate for an integrated study of the Marine Impacts of Sea Level Rise (MISR).