Dr. Pearman's research into the sources, sinks and global behaviour of atmospheric carbon dioxide has been a highly successful marriage of biology, chemistry and physics. Trained as a biologist, he analysed the basic physics of the relevant measurement techniques of the time and thereby laid the groundwork for an international global monitoring network. As data became available he developed theories of biosphere/atmosphere and ocean/atmosphere interaction which are now the basis of prediction of long-term change of carbon dioxide. He has extended these studies to include various man-made and natural trace elements of the global atmosphere.