Basic R&D needs to be done by Govt and then can be expanded upon by the private sector, this is shown to be historically true with the Space Programme being one of the most obvious.
Most if not all of our technological advancements in the last 50 years were due to the basic research done by Govts trying to be the first ones in space.
I'm not saying we wouldn't have the stuff we have now eventually, but we most definately wouldn't have it yet.
In todays cases it dictates who gets to do the job. the bidding happens but the contractor is already set. If you know the causes of climate change, you don`t need to research much at all, you need to stop the causes.
The US Navy suffered dearly because of R&D related intel. R&D was expected to cost X, when it was calculated to a 500 million dollar Destroyer called the Zumwalt Class. Experts sold Congress on many technology ideas and new systems. Turned a 500 million at cost ship to 2.5 billion with the assurance that the next would be cheaper and the next cheaper than that one because 32 of them were to be ordered. They escort LCD and troops going ashore in battle, escort fleet ships and can break away and fight independently shore bombardment.
They spent overwhelmingly huge amounts of cash on R&D for a hull that I sank dead with a MBT on the beach. A designer of it was bragging on a site and wanting to know why me and several Navy Ranks were discussing it and it`s flaws and why he thought it was compatible and more effective than a Burke Class.
Long story short, the R&D was done regardless of the major flaws like 2" thick hull, 45 or so crew, and inability to mix electricity with seawater safely. Those Brass were on the verge of acting and went straight to it when I chased that designer away after he gave a strategy and lost all three to my MBT on the beach, if they got that one, there were thirty left to take over,...a main Battle Tank should never be able to chase a combat direct fire gunship back over the horizon and keep it there or sink it.
R&D for Climate Change will do the same, supply a hole to throw money into, and all of Congress has invested in stocks for companies that magically win Contracts.
Obama`s last money grab is all it is. We already know how to stop air pollution and it should be done first before funding fuel substitute studies.
If I knew they were spending large sums on a failure, they did too, and that`s my whole point, this will happen with Climate Change now.
The Skipper of the Burke knew better than to come over the horizon with a howitzer on the beach.
They Skipper of the CAG and DDG, didn`t care about howitzers and the BB skipper challenged all thirty tanks at point blank range, laughing.