‘Anyone who spends any time near the ocean will tell you that there has been no observable change relative to the land during their lifetime’
to the land, probably, not, but to those beach strands not propped up by restoration efforts, yes...
Not sure what you mean, partly because of all the commas.
I don't think it makes any difference land or beach. For land I would judge by the Intracoastal Waterway level near Palm Beach, FL, which I've seen pretty regularly for more than 40 years now. (Next inspection on Thursday!)
For beaches I would judge by the beaches of Nantucket Island which I used to visit regularly up until the year 2000.
No observable change in either, except for the tides.
ML/NJ