For all global warming sceptics - 2010 hits global temperature high

"2010 was the warmest year since global temperature records began in 1850 - although margins of uncertainty make it a statistical tie with 1998 and 2005.

The World Meteorological Organization notes a number of extreme weather events ocurring during 2010, including:

• the summer heatwave in Russia
• severe monsoon-related floods in Pakistan
• the worst Amazon drought in recent memory.
  Agencies including the UK Met Office suggest 2011 is likely to be cooler on average than 2010, as La Nina conditions dominate.
  The variation between El Nino and La Nina can alter the global temperature by half a degree or so.
  But the variations it produces sit on top of a slow, steady warming trend dating back half a century, ascribed to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from industry, agriculture, deforestation and other human activities."
  
  Source: BBC (link)

'Green' School Has Faulty Underfloor System (one more reason for integrated design)

"GUILFORD, N.C.—Pressure loss in the ductless underfloor heating and cooling system at an award-winning North Carolina middle school appears to be the primary reason the school has not achieved the level of energy efficiency that school district officials expected. The district learned last year that the middle school, which has won national awards for its energy-efficient and environment-friendly design, used more energy per square foot in 2008 than another local school built in 2009 for substantially less money. The district's chief operations officer said it is looking at ways to preserve the integrity of the plenum space in order to get the system to operate efficiently."

Source: ASHRAE, News & Records (link)
Picture source: School web site
Case study link (Source: North Carolina Division of Pollution Prevention and Environmental Assistance)