From Richmond, California to Durban, South Africa, communities are suffering from the effects of corporate polluters. The big oil companies make billions of dollars every year, but won't invest to keep local communities, the environment and refinery workers safe. The Chevron refinery in Richmond had its second fire in five years, despite pleas from the community to update their infrastructure, safety systems and warning system.

The risks posed by refineries like Chevron's in Richmond are not just a local problem. In South Africa, IDEX's partner the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) has been fighting for years for environmental justice for the under-served and often impoverished communities around oil refineries. Just last year the Engen refinery that Mobil built in Durban in 1954 exploded releasing huge amounts of toxic smoke just like in the Richmond refinery fire.

The SDCEA has participated in "toxic tours" in Richmond with local environmental justice organizations, led by Communities for a Better Environment. In Durban, they have lobbied successfully for air-quality testing around refineries - a basic precaution that Richmond doesn't enjoy. Without accountability and regulation, oil refineries will continue to pose a looming threat over the local area. As SDCEA chairperson Desmond D'Sa put it when it comes to creating healthy communities, "oil refineries are just bad medicine."