1. A programmable environmental controller, comprising: an local area network interface port configured to communicate digital data through a local area network; at least one climate sensor configured to receive sensed environmental climate conditions; at least one movement sensor configured to detect a movement of an individual in a vicinity of the sensor; and at least one automated processor configured to perform a pattern recognition process to jointly classify a temporal pattern of the sensed environmental climate conditions and the movement of the individual, and to communicate at least one signal in dependence thereon, the at least one signal being adapted to at least control an environmental control system.