The "for profit" industry underwrites the entire scientific/academia industry. Most (all?) of basic science is paid for by the defence industry.
Science is just as political and conformist as any other industry. "career climate scientist" is just an appeal to authority, who actually would sign praise to anyone that would pay them enough.
An academic is just a person who wants someone to give them money so that they never have to face the vagarities of real life outside of the ivory tower.
Scientists that bring in funding are therefore particularly valuable and highly sought after. However, those that bring-in extramural funding, but do not act politically correct are often quickly dispensed with. Because other donors may dislike them.
Really weird that people still put them on pedestals, but I guess "More Doctors smoke Camels."
It's just another business.