Basic research paves way for environment ??

https://www.hindu.com/2009/02/18/stories/2009021855941000.htm
Link of the whole article is above,
but here is the thing i really want to put up for discussion -

"if research intensity is to be maintained at current levels, governments have to pump in huge sums of money and also ensure that a good part of it went for supporting basic research, a line that relies solely on such funds for sustenance. In this context, somewhat ominous is an idea that David King, a former Chief Science Adviser to the British government, canvassed recently in a BBC television interview. He wanted scientific minds to be redirected towards tackling climate change and such other problems of the 21st century even at the cost of research in areas like particle physics and space exploration. If Dr. King's proposition indeed reflects the government's thinking, it will mean choking the flow of funds to basic research."

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So do you all think that it is indeed a good proposition to divert some funds going into basic research, towards issues like climate change and other environmental issues ?
The matter specially assumes significance because of the financial crunch, and hence huge sums of money would be difficult to pump into research.